RTI activist smell corruption in Pune–Satara Highway toll collection

Illegal Toll Collection to the tune of Rs 1780 Cr

Funds misappropriation to the tune of Rs 225 Cr.

Mumbai: The toll collection on various state and national highways has always been under a big question mark due to the unimaginable daily cash transactions. The alleged corruption in toll business in the state and the country has been a political issue many a times. Several political leaders and parties have tried to exploit it for political mileage as well. While most of the political parties preferred to push the issue on the back burner after initial hullabaloo, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been fighting a legal battle for many years. The party, as many tend to think, has not been sitting idle on the issue after the state-wide anti toll movement five years ago.

Now party spokesperson Sanjay Shirodkar from Pune has alleged corruption in toll collection at Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza on Pune – Satara Highway. Shirodkar, along with Mumbai based social activist Pravin Wategaonkar has lodged a complaint with Mumbai Anti Corruption Bureau of the Central Bureau of Investigation. The duo has alleged that the contractor company to collect the toll has illegally collected toll worth a whooping Rs 1780 Cr over the last nine years.

Complaint was filed against PS Toll Road Pvt Ltd, Special Purpose Vehicle promoted by Reliance Infrastructure and JTEG, China Consortium; Axis Bank, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials and Independent Engineer, Aarvee Consultants for offences u/s 405, 409, 420 read with 34, 120(B) of IPC, Criminal Misconduct of the Prevention of Corruption Act. “As per contract, PS Toll Road was to complete construction of the six-laning of 140 Km Pune-Satara Highway in 30 months i.e. 2.5 yrs commencing from October 1, 2010 till March 31, 2013. The construction is still incomplete. NHAI had specifically rejected request for longer construction period of 3.5 years instead of 2.5, in the pre-bid meeting. Completion of six laning in 2.5 years was therefore essence of the contract,” the complaint says.

Sensing trouble in future, due to the complaint and alleged irregularities, it is learnt that both the sons of Anil Ambani – Anmol and Anshul – have resigned from the directorship if the company. 

Speaking to TheNews21, Shirodkar said, “The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH), on Dec 16, 2013, issued amended rules governing levy of toll on National Highways and prohibited collection of user fees/toll on Highways where Six-laning was delayed beyond the scheduled completion dates. In case of Pune Satara Highway, six laning was scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2013, which could be extended by another nine months, taking into account permissible extension solely due to default on part of NHAI, i.e. December 31, 2013.”

Noted activist Pravin Wategaonkar said, “PS Toll Road had no authority in view of amended rules to collect user fees since January 1, 2014 without completion of six laning. Extensions granted by NHAI to construction schedule are in violation of bidding terms and amount to favouring concessionaire. User fees/toll collected since Last six years is illegal, mala fide and amounts to cheating vehicle users on Pune-Satara Highway by PS Toll Road. Toll Revenue of about Rs. 1780 Cr has been collected during this period, our of which about 75% or about 1335 cr collected since January 1, 2014 is unlawful.”

The activists also alleged that fund diversion of toll collected, was in violation of contract, by concessionaire of about Rs. 225 Cr up to March 2012 until detected by CAG in March- July 2014, with the aid of escrow bank Axis Bank and investment of the same in Reliance Liquid Mutual Funds. “This attracts section 409 of IPC among others. The 100 page complaint is based on bid documents, CAG report and documents obtained under RTI Act over last more than a year,” Shirodkar said. 

The officilas of Reliance Infrastructure could not be reached for their version. The emails sent to the company seeking their version went unanswered.