New Delhi: Reversing its earlier decision, the government on Wednesday suspended fee collection at all toll plazas on national highways till the midnight of November 11.
Union Minister of Road Transport Nitin Gadkari confirmed the news and tweeted today, "It has been decided to suspend Toll across all National Highways till midnight of 11th November to facilitate smooth traffic movement."
It has been decided to suspend Toll across all National Highways till midnight of 11th November to facilitate smooth traffic movement
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) November 9, 2016
Earlier today, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had allowed toll plazas` operators to accept the demonetised currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 till the midnight of November 11.
The ministry elaborated that the decision has been taken in order to avoid any inconvenience to highway users post the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
The earlier decision to allow toll plazas` operators to accept the demonetised currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination was seen to be in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s announcement that hospitals, railway, bus and airlines ticket counters will continue to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for the next 72 hours.
Modi had announced these measures to smoothen the transition process of demonetisation for curbing black money in the country.
Earlier today, the National Highway Authority of India issued an instruction to all toll plazas on highways to accept currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations till the midnight of 11.11.2016. The NHAI issued orders in order to avoid difficulties that may be faced by the highway users.
Massive traffic jams at almost all highways were witnessed across the country today following an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that currency denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 will no longer be legal tender from 12.00 am today.
According to government official, massive traffic jams due to lack of lower denomination currency notes with users and operators led the government to review its earlier decision.
