COVID-19-Government suspends toll collection across the country
Published On Mar 26, 2020
To facilitate seamless movement of trucks carrying essential products, the toll collection across the country suspended during the lockdown
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) announced the closure of toll-plazas across the country for seamless transport of essential products and services across highway, cities and towns. This order remains in force until the nationwide lockdown due to the Covid-19. Also, maintenance of roads and availability of emergency resources at toll plaza will continue as usual.
“Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has advised NHAI to follow MHA guidelines about Toll Plaza Operations following LockDown in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country. The Ministry has stated that Clause 4 of the MHA order dated 24.3.2020 says that the commercial and private establishments shall be closed down for a period of 21 days from 25.03.2020”, a statement from the government said.
MoRTH 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
“In view of Covid-19, it has been ordered to temporarily suspend the collection of toll at all toll plaza across India. This will not only reduce inconvenience to the supply of emergency services but also save critical time”, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highway, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises twitted last night.
In the wake of the spread of Covid-19, the Ministry has also issued guidelines and preventive measures for vehicle users across the country to stay safe on the road and keep their vehicles clean and sanitized.
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