NHAI Debars Toll Operating Agency for Misbehaving with Highway Users

     Raipur, May 10, 2024: NHAI has taken strict action and debarred Ms. Riddhi Siddhi Associates for an incident of assault and misbehaviour with the National Highway users at Sirmandi Toll Plaza on Amritsar-Jamnagar section in Rajasthan, official sources said today.

     An incident of assault and misbehaviour by the employees of toll operating agency with highway users at Sirmandi Toll Plaza was reported on 05.05.2024, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways sources said today.

     Taking prompt action on the matter, the incident was examined by NHAI and a ‘Show Cause’ Notice was served to the firm, the sources said.

     The reply submitted by the toll operating agency was not found to be satisfactory.

     It was noted that in total violation of contractual provisions and NHAI Standing Operating Procedure, the agency was indulged in violence and misbehaving activities with the highway users, because of which the authority has debarred M/s.Riddhi Siddhi Associates for a period of three months from the list of pre-qualified bidders, they said.

     NHAI contract agreement with its toll operators clearly defines that the personnel deployed by the Contractor shall not misconduct/ misbehave with the members of Public and shall observe strict discipline and decency in their behaviour.

     Last year, NHAI had issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to curb altercation incidents at Toll Plazas and safeguard interests of both the commuters and the toll operators.

     NHAI said it is committed to ensure safe and seamless travel on National Highways and has recently taken strong action against errant agencies involved in violence and misbehaviour with highway users at toll plazas.