NHAI terminates toll agency contract over assault on army soldier in UP

Meerut: A week after the brutal assault of an army soldier at the Bhuni Toll Plaza on Meerut-Karnal road in Uttar Pradesh, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken stringent action against the toll collection agency responsible. NHAI terminated the contract of the agency, M/s Dharm Singh, and barred it from participating in toll plaza bids for one year.

The organisation has also imposed a hefty penalty of Rs. 20 lakhs on the agency. Additionally, the agency's performance security of Rs. 3.66 crores will be utilised for repairing and replacing damaged equipment and infrastructure at Bhuni Toll Plaza.

The incident, which occurred on August 17, involved an altercation when the soldier, Kapil Singh, who was en route to Delhi airport, requested the toll staff to expedite vehicle movement due to a long queue. The confrontation escalated, and the soldier was assaulted by the toll staff.

M/s Dharm Singh was issued a Show-Cause Notice for the misconduct. However, their response was found unsatisfactory, and the NHAI concluded that the agency violated contract terms, involving physical altercation, misbehaviour, damage to public property, and disruption of toll collection operations.

To prevent future incidents, NHAI has directed all toll operating agencies to take strict action against staff misbehaving with highway users, including military personnel. It has also mandated training sessions to enhance toll plaza staff's customer interaction and communication skills.

The assault triggered public outrage, resulting in protests and vandalism at the toll plaza.

With inputs from IANS