CHENNAI: Toll charges at five plazas along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and Outer Ring Road (ORR) have been hiked, despite residents opposing the move.
Now, charges will vary between Rs 18 and Rs 323 for a one-way trip. Monthly passes for cars will cost Rs 2,923. Among the five plazas, four are on ORR and one on OMR.
Usually, toll charges are revised annually, but this is the second time this year that charges have been revised for the four plazas on the 60-km stretch of ORR connecting Vandalur with Minjur - at Varadharajapuram,Kolapancheri, Nemmelicheri and Chinnamullaivoyal.
Explaining the rationale behind the second hike, Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation's (TNRDC) general manager said, "Ideally, the rates should have been revised on April 1, at the start of the financial year. But, toll collection began at these four plazas only on January 5. As per rules, rates cannot be changed within six months of establishment of the plaza. Hence, we have notified the revised toll rates now, to be followed from July 5." From next year, annual revision would happen on April 1.
Commuters are irked by the hike. "The bridge construction work at Pattabiram has forced us to take a detour via Thandarai. Already we are spending more on fuel for the detour. Now, we will spend more on toll," said T Sadagopan, a resident-activist from Avadi who frequents that route .
Speaking about the hike in toll at the Navalur plaza on OMR, G Satish, a resident of the area, said, "At a time when the state government is asking the union government to stop toll collection at several places, its own agency is hiking charges. TN should act as a role model and cut rates. Other states will follow suit if TN sets an example for them."
Also, while the notification mentions revised rates for autos, toll employees hardly charge auto drivers. If they intend to continue the collection, they should implement it properly and create necessary facilities for all commuters on the route, said Satish.
