HC: Ensure transparency in BOT toll collection

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday asked the government to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the toll collection by the Gammon India at Mattanchery BOT Bridge is kept above board.A Division Bench comprising Justice C N Ramachandran Nair and Justice K Vinodchandran passed the order while closing a contempt petition filed against Gammon India. The court stated that it is up to the state government to decide the matter as the arbitrary proceedings is pending. The  authorities concerned are entitled to inquire into the allegations raised by the petitioner.The petitioner alleged that the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is not ensuring that the company operating the BOT bridge is giving toll tickets with number and sealing of the GCDA.However, the counsel for the GCDA rejected the arguments and stated that the tickets printed and brought by the company are numbered and sealed by the GCDA and the details in this regard are recorded at the GCDA office on a daily basis.  The petitioner alleged that the company is accounting only less than the actual amount received.

Original news source