Toll plazas shops to loot common man, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

Chandigarh

Toll plazas, in reality, are shops to loot the common man, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remarked while closing the Singhwala toll on the Moga-Kotkapura road.

Mann said the closing of the Singhwala toll plaza on the Moga-Kotkapura road will save money of lakhs of people who cross the road.

Talking to the media, Mann said, “These toll plazas looted the public by flouting all the norms of their agreement. However, it is surprising that instead of taking action against them, these were patronized by successive governments after turning a blind eye to their misdeeds.”

The CM said people elect governments in the hope that the politicians will protect their interests but the power-hungry leaders shield such defaulters for their vested interests.

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The previous governments in Punjab ignored the wrongdoings committed at such toll plazas and allowed them to mint money by duping people.

Despite being a provision of stationing ambulance or recovery van, the toll plaza violated the agreement by not keeping mandated emergency vehicles.

The agreement for starting the toll plaza was signed in 2006 for 16 years and the company was fined Rs 2.48 crore for delaying the first overlay road.

But the fine was never recovered by the Capt government and it could have been closed in November 2019 for not completing the second overlay road on time.

The then government kept ignoring the loot of people’s money and no action was taken against it.

“Every single penny plundered from people will be recovered from these people and the outstanding dues will be taken from them legally.

More such toll plazas will be freed in the future to give respite to the people,” he said while reiterating his commitment to ensure the all-round development of the state.