Truck drivers seek annual toll permits for smoother passage at booths  

This comes after the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) — the largest body representing truck drivers nationwide — complained of facing problems in movement of goods across highways due to a cash crunch post demonetisation. The demand of annual toll permit was made even last year, resulting in a nationwide strike by truck drivers to protest against the present toll system.

“There is a loss of more than Rs 1.45 lakh crore worth of fuel and man hours in the wait for toll payment. Not just that, it is proven that a saving of Rs 3 crore worth of fuel was made in the 10-day waiver of toll in November. We are not against toll but only asking for a smooth movement through an advance toll collection,” said Vivek Velankar, one of the activist supporting the move.

To ease the cash crunch among motorists for toll payments, authorities implemented point of sale (POS) machines at various toll nakas, increased manpower to facilitate easy exchange. However, the wait time of truck drivers at toll collection points has not reduced, they claim.

“We have seen examples of electronic toll collection system crashing because the card payment limit had crossed its capacity. A truck driver has to face at least ten toll plazas in a single journey for which they need to carry change (cash). We are only asking that such a payment be made in advance so that so much fuel and man hours are not wasted,” said Malkit Singh, AIMTC member.

There are more than 374 toll plazas on the national highways which see a movement of 90 lakh trucks and 60 lakh buses. While smaller vehicles get a quicker passage, for trucks and large vehicles there is an average wait time of at least eight-nine hours.

“We are promoting two basic concepts of demonetization policy of the government which is to erase corruption and promote cashless economy through this move. An advance payment can also wash out any manipulation of toll collection by middlemen,” said Ashok Datar, activist.

Singh said though this issue was raised last month in a meeting with the finance ministry, no positive response was received. Instead, they were told to wait till December 31 for the situation to normalise.

“We are waiting till the end of the year, as asked by the authorities, for the cash crunch to resolve. If not, a nationwide meeting with the truck association on January 2 will be called post which we can call for a stoppage of our services after January 9,” Singh added.