Bhubaneswar, June 28: The state government had barred collection of toll tax on National Highway No. 316, which links the state capital to Puri, on certain specified dates for rath yatra, but toll tax contractors continue to flout the rule.

According to an official communication issued on June 8, the government had barred collection of toll tax on June 9, June 24, June 25, July 2, July 3 and July 4 to ensure smooth flow of vehicles carrying devotees during rath yatra. However, the private contractor running the toll plaza, Odisha bridge and Construction Ltd, has so far preferred to ignore the order.

The dates for toll-free travel have been chosen as devotees travel to witness rath yatra rituals such as deva snan purinima, nabajauban besha, Sri Gundicha yatra, sandhya darshan, bahuda and suna besha.

"I live in Bhubaneswar and decided to drive down to Puri to witness various rath yatra rituals. I had to pay toll fees every time I crossed the tollgate near Pipili. I had to wait in queues while returning from Puri due to heavy rush of vehicles," said Niranjan Padhi.

Another visitor Mahesh Ranjan Pradan said: "I transport vegetables to Puri everyday and the demand is high at present because of the festival. I was supposed to pay Rs 175 for the two-way travel, but the fee collectors at the booths took Rs 200 from me each time citing they do not have change," said Pradhan, a businessman from Rasulgarh.

The toll fee for light vehicles is Rs 110, for small transport vehicles Rs 175, for buses and trucks Rs 355, for multi-axle vehicles Rs 550 and oversized vehicles have to pay Rs 690.

Some commuters also complained of hooliganism by collectors at the tollgate.

"I was travelling to Puri with my wife to witness the rath yatra. I had to wait for a long time at the Pipili tollgate. I was aware of the toll free days. When I asked the person at the counter why they were flouting government orders, he started to bully me," said Niladri Vihar resident Nihar Mohapatra.

Other than the Pipili tollgate, the state government has also barred collection of fees on certain dates at Kushavadra near Gop, Biraharekrushnapur-Baliguali road and Ratnachira on new Jagannath Sadak.

However, complaints continued to poured in about collection of fees from these roads as well.

"We had informed the private contractor, who collects fees at the tollgate, about the government's decision. But we are not aware that they are not abiding by the order. Every year we always issue such orders with the chief minister's approval. We will take up the matter again and ensure that toll fee is not collected on the specified dates," said works department under secretary Lingaraj Naik.

When asked about the reason for flouting the government order, the private operator of the Pipili tollgate refused to comment.