NHAI recovers Rs 1.8 crore excess toll by agency

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today said it has rewarded an RTI applicant for exposing overcharging of toll by a developer at a toll plaza on NH-4 at Belgaum and recovered the excess Rs 1.8 crore from the agency.
"Based upon RTI application filed by Prashant Ashok Burge, Belgaum during March, 2013 regarding collection of excess user fee rate for car/jeep/van (LMV) for one way and return trip at Hattargi user fee plaza on Belgaum to Maharashtra border, stretch of NH-4, NHAI investigated into the matter," it said in a statement.
It was observed that the user fee was being charged at Rs 20 and Rs 40 whereas it should have been Rs 15 and Rs 35, respectively, it added.

"NHAI immediately stopped the collection of excess user fee from such category of vehicles. Also, excess collection of user fee of Rs 1.8 crore was recovered from the toll agency M/s Konark Infrastructure Ltd.
"Besides, as a corrective measure, notice boards came up on all toll booths, displaying that the excess user fee of Rs 5 can be collected by the passengers, after producing proof of identification and excess fee charged," it said.
NHAI said it appreciated the fact that the complainant has raised a very pertinent and an important issue involving public interest through his RTI application, which has been promptly redressed by the public authority.

"Considering the importance of the issue, NHAI has accorded approval for a reward amount of Rs 10,000 to Prashant Ashok Burge," it added.