Jalandhar: Due to ongoing farmers protests in Punjab and Haryana has led to a revenue loss of Rs about Rs 4.80 crore per day and a total revenue loss of Rs 1060 crore till July 31 this year, according to rating CARE Ratings.
Barring a few toll plazas in both states, toll collection has been remained suspended in the past several months as farmers’ unions announced indefinite protests near toll plazas demanding rollback of bills.
The protest has led to toll suspension in thirteen build-operate-transfer (BOT) national highways projects and eleven BOT state highways projects leading to an estimated aggregate revenue loss of Rs.4.80 crore per day as there was disruption of toll collections for state projects since October 2020 accentuated with no fees collection at toll plazas since December 2020.
Considering farmers’ agitation, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued a circular in July 2021, giving an extension of the concession period and reimbursement up to 50% of the actual cost (O&M and interest) beyond insurance besides others to firms. However, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), has yet not made a similar move.
Following estimated compensation from NHAI for 13 BOT toll projects would be Rs 1.60 crore per day thereby covering about 37% of loss of revenue.
Due to the present circumstances, the project worth Rs 4800 crore is on verge of termination. 9 out of 13 NHAI BOT projects in Punjab and Haryana were facing liquidity constraints.
Joginder Singh, President of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) said that farmers will continue their protest at the toll plazas and they would not allow them to operate till the time the BJP-led Union government accepts their demands.