The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has opposed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) move to begin collection of toll for four-laning of National Highway 6 from Sakoli to Deori, the stretch where work has not been completed.
The ministry of road, transport and highways on September 28 issued a notification to allow toll collection by Ashoka Highways (Bhandara) Ltd from October 18. Ashoka is engaged in four-laning of the highway from Deori to Wainganga bridge section in Gondia and Bhandara districts respectively.
The concessionaire has already set up a toll plaza post near Shendurwafa (Sakoli).
The WTI has moved the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court against the NHAI over the four-laning work that cuts tiger corridor between Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Navegaon National Park and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The corridor has importance as it connects nine tiger reserves and many protected areas.
"Toll collection should not be allowed unless NHAI gives word to CEC that it will take steps to mitigate damage in eight km forest patch still having connectivity," said conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager of WTI.
However, NHAI project director Naresh Wadetwar said the move was as per the agreement between the concessionaire and the government. "The 8-km portion where work is complete has been excluded from collection. The rate has been calculated for 72 km only where four-laning work is done .
A separate certificate will be issued for the remaining 8 km." He added, "Why should the operator suffer for work left incomplete due to delay on our part?"
On the other hand, Bhamburkar contends, "Why consider only the unfinished work in 8 km portion. Protected and reserve forest has been destroyed in around 20-24 km area without seeking permission under the Forest Conservation Act 1980."
WTI wants NHAI to compensate for the damage in other areas by constructing open span bridges (flyovers). The 8-km sensitive patches where work has not been done are Deopayli-Duggipaar (2.5 km); Maramjob-Dongargaon (3 km) and Sakoli-Pimpalgaon (2.5 km).
The NHAI seems to be reluctant to consider construction of flyovers. Wadetwar said flyover on the 8-km patch would mean roughly an additional expenditure of Rs 200 crore. NHAI is ready to build eight underpasses of 10 feet height and 20 feet width every 2 km vulnerable forest patch. This will cost around Rs 50 crore. The consultant report has not been approved. Wadetwar said, "the report submitted to the CEC by chief conservator Nandkishore suggests construction of underpasses and we went by the same recommendations. The forest department should take a holistic approach."
However, Nandkishore told TOI that NHAI consultant's report was not as per his suggestions. Forest officials felt identical underpasses could not be solution on all patches. Their dimensions should be site-specific.
Bhamburkar argues, "NHAI doesn't have to pay from its pocket. When tigers are passing through worst-ever crisis and crores are being spent on their protection, how does it matter?" In Rajaji National Park, NHAI has agreed to build an elevated road so that wild animals can pass without any interruption. "Why can't it do the same here?" he asks.
A car, passenger van or jeep will have to pay Rs 53 (one way); light commercial vehicle (LCV) Rs 93; truck Rs 186 and multi-axle vehicles Rs 300. NHAI said the rates were as per the agreement. On an average, 25,000 vehicles move on the NH-6 daily.
The ministry of road, transport and highways on September 28 issued a notification to allow toll collection by Ashoka Highways (Bhandara) Ltd from October 18. Ashoka is engaged in four-laning of the highway from Deori to Wainganga bridge section in Gondia and Bhandara districts respectively.
The concessionaire has already set up a toll plaza post near Shendurwafa (Sakoli).
The WTI has moved the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court against the NHAI over the four-laning work that cuts tiger corridor between Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Navegaon National Park and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). The corridor has importance as it connects nine tiger reserves and many protected areas.
"Toll collection should not be allowed unless NHAI gives word to CEC that it will take steps to mitigate damage in eight km forest patch still having connectivity," said conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager of WTI.
However, NHAI project director Naresh Wadetwar said the move was as per the agreement between the concessionaire and the government. "The 8-km portion where work is complete has been excluded from collection. The rate has been calculated for 72 km only where four-laning work is done .
A separate certificate will be issued for the remaining 8 km." He added, "Why should the operator suffer for work left incomplete due to delay on our part?"
On the other hand, Bhamburkar contends, "Why consider only the unfinished work in 8 km portion. Protected and reserve forest has been destroyed in around 20-24 km area without seeking permission under the Forest Conservation Act 1980."
WTI wants NHAI to compensate for the damage in other areas by constructing open span bridges (flyovers). The 8-km sensitive patches where work has not been done are Deopayli-Duggipaar (2.5 km); Maramjob-Dongargaon (3 km) and Sakoli-Pimpalgaon (2.5 km).
The NHAI seems to be reluctant to consider construction of flyovers. Wadetwar said flyover on the 8-km patch would mean roughly an additional expenditure of Rs 200 crore. NHAI is ready to build eight underpasses of 10 feet height and 20 feet width every 2 km vulnerable forest patch. This will cost around Rs 50 crore. The consultant report has not been approved. Wadetwar said, "the report submitted to the CEC by chief conservator Nandkishore suggests construction of underpasses and we went by the same recommendations. The forest department should take a holistic approach."
However, Nandkishore told TOI that NHAI consultant's report was not as per his suggestions. Forest officials felt identical underpasses could not be solution on all patches. Their dimensions should be site-specific.
Bhamburkar argues, "NHAI doesn't have to pay from its pocket. When tigers are passing through worst-ever crisis and crores are being spent on their protection, how does it matter?" In Rajaji National Park, NHAI has agreed to build an elevated road so that wild animals can pass without any interruption. "Why can't it do the same here?" he asks.
A car, passenger van or jeep will have to pay Rs 53 (one way); light commercial vehicle (LCV) Rs 93; truck Rs 186 and multi-axle vehicles Rs 300. NHAI said the rates were as per the agreement. On an average, 25,000 vehicles move on the NH-6 daily.
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