The toll gate on NH-5 at Sergarh near Balasore. Telegraph picture

Balasore, March 27: Transporters have demanded shifting of the toll gate installed near Sergarh on the city outskirts, alleging that its location is in contravention of rules and posing traffic problems.

The transporters under the banner of the Balasore Jana Jagarana Manch have threatened to block the national highway if their demands are not met within a week.

“As per the guidelines of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the minimum distance between two toll gates on the national highway should be 60km. Besides, no toll gate should be set up within a 10-km span of urban areas. Here, both the conditions are violated,” said Narendra Bihari Das, a disgruntled transporter.

“The toll plaza is only about 7km away from the Nilgiri Notified Area Council which is not in conformity with the existing rules,” he said.

“A toll gate should not be set up within a distance of 1km from a fuel service station. But, the toll gate here is a violation to that rule also. The filling station is charging extra four paise for each litre of fuel,” said Tapan Chakraborty, another transporter.

“The toll fee is valid for 24 hours across the country. But here, it is the exception and the validity period is up to midnight. As a result the local commuters are made to pay more tax for short duration,” he said.

Quoting rules, the transports said two wheelers, three wheelers and tractors were not exempted from the toll tax. But, in the toll gate near Sergarh, these vehicles are taxed.

On the other hand, the authorities are not paying attention to the maintenance of roads, they alleged, stating that the condition of the roads and bridges at certain places, including the patch between Rupsa and Basta on NH-60, was awful.

“The national highway authorities should take steps to shift the gate and take up repair and maintenance of roads within seven days. Else, we will resort to road blockade,” said a manch member. The organisation has submitted memoranda to the concerned authorities including the district collector.

“Since the highway operation is not under our jurisdiction, we will take up the matter at the state government level,” said district collector Akhil Bihari Ota.