COVID19 - NHAI suspends Toll Collections

          NHAI under the guidance of Shri.Nitin Gadkari – Transport Minister has suspended Toll Collections across India, until 14 April during the 21-day lockdown period.

          Yes, with the 21 days lockdown in place, the number of vehicles criss-crossing India’s Highways have considerably reduced. However, vehicles carrying essential goods, private vehicles with curfew passes continue to criss-cross India’s national highways.

          Suspension of the toll collections is NHAIs contribution towards the COVID19 fight. The whole NETC infrastructure needs to be maintained even if the toll collection is less than 5 %. Suspension of toll removes the necessity to maintain the NETC infrastructure. The staff at toll gates can be deployed for other essential activities.

          As the wayside amenities on National Highways are closed, NHAI has advised toll operators to step in and support the drivers ferrying essential goods.

Union Road Transport & Highways has also advised that NHAI may take action as per the said MHA orders.

It added that prevailing condition may be treated as Force Majeure of Concession/Contract Agreement in terms of Ministry of Finance (Deptt of Expenditure order dated 19.2.2020.   This will also, ensure some safety to the private vehicles moving on the highways.

          Article 27 of the ‘Model Concession Agreement’, of ‘Public-Private Partnership in Tolling, Operation, Maintenance, and Transfer of Highways’,   contains the procedure to be followed in case of ‘Force Majeure’, events.

A ‘Force Majeure’, event can fall under any one category i.e Non-Political Event, Indirect Political Event or Political Event.

NHAI collects tolls via 550+ Tolls Plazas across the country. Few states collect toll via FASTag. The collection of toll on such State highways is left to the discretion of the respective States. However, by now all the states would have issued orders on the suspension of tolls on their respective state highways.