Govt struggles to resume toll collection on 15 bridges amid resistance
Although toll collection has resumed at some locations, resistance from locals and the lack of contractors have prevented operations from restarting at many sites
- Locals, transport workers and political groups are blocking toll collection
- Former contractors are reluctant to resume operations due to uncertainty, risks
- Govt is requesting better security to resume toll collection
- Toll collection suspension is affecting revenue targets
- Govt is wary of implementing new toll policy due to potential public backlash
The Roads and Highways Department has been unable to resume toll collection at 15 bridges under its jurisdiction. This suspension has been in place since the fall of the Awami League government, following a student-led movement.
According to the Road Transport and Highways Division, the suspension began after angry mobs vandalised several toll plazas on 5 August. Although toll collection has resumed at some locations, resistance from locals and the lack of contractors have prevented operations from restarting at many sites.
A senior official of the Road Transport and Highways Division said people with political links are now getting involved in the toll collection process. In some areas, local BNP supporters, three-wheeler drivers and others have opposed the resumption of tolls under previous contractors.
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In other areas, there are outright demands to stop toll collection altogether. As a result, former contractors are unwilling to resume operations and several have filed lawsuits over their inability to collect tolls.
Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, told TBS on 19 November that toll collection in areas where it has been halted is awaiting an improvement in the law and order situation.
He added that Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, the chief adviser's special assistant, is actively addressing the issue.
The adviser held out the assurance that measures would be taken to enforce toll collection in areas facing resistance.
Documents from the September coordination meeting of the Road Transport and Highways Division show that the chief engineer of the Roads and Highways Department has been instructed to appoint new contractors for bridges where toll collection is currently suspended.
Furthermore, a letter has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting security arrangements at these toll plazas.
The Roads and Highways Department has confirmed that steps are underway to appoint new contractors and ensure the resumption of toll collection.
Bridges where toll collection has stopped
Toll collection has been suspended on two bridges in Mymensingh. To address this issue, Mymensingh's Executive Engineer Khairul Basar Mohammad Saddam Hossain held a meeting with senior officials, including the deputy commissioner and the police superintendent.
However, he noted that during a meeting on 6 November at the Road Transport and Highways Division, no assurance of cooperation was received from the local administration.
Officials at the meeting mentioned that similar issues exist with toll collection at various bridges in Chapainawabganj, Kushtia, Khulna and Barisal regions.
Toll collection on the Chandpur-Lakshmipur road bridge was halted following a clash between toll collector representatives, auto-rickshaw drivers, and locals who demanded an end to toll collection.
In Sunamganj, toll collection has stopped on the Lamakazi Bridge due to a transport workers' strike calling for its suspension. Similarly, toll collection has been discontinued on the Chhoyhara Bridge of the district.
Uncertainty over revenue collection target
For the fiscal 2024-25, the Road Transport and Highways Division has set a revenue target of Tk2,000 crore from tolls. However, only a small amount has been collected from July to October, falling short of expectations.
In the previous fiscal year, the division aimed to collect Tk1,287 crore from tolls but managed to collect Tk1,280 crore, nearly reaching its goal.
Currently, tolls are collected through three methods – the departmental method, the lease method, and the operation and maintenance (O&M) method. The O&M method accounts for 83% of the total toll revenue from roads and bridges.
The Roads and Highways Department collects tolls from 67 bridges in total. Of these, tolls are collected from 38 bridges using the lease method, 14 bridges using the O&M method, and 15 bridges through the departmental method.
Additionally, the department collects tolls from 48 ferries. Tolls are collected using the lease method on 34 ferries and the departmental method on 14 ferries.
The department also collects tolls from four roads. Three of these roads use the O&M method, while one uses the departmental method.
Govt reluctant to implement new toll policy
The Road Transport and Highways Division has introduced the Toll Policy 2024 to standardise toll collection across all roads and bridges. However, the government is hesitant to take the risk of implementing it.
A senior official from the division, speaking anonymously to TBS, explained that a similar policy was introduced in 2014 but has not been fully implemented on many bridges. For bridges built before 2000, applying the 2014 policy would significantly raise toll rates, which caused dissatisfaction among transport workers.
Even on the Meghna-Gumti Bridge, the 2014 policy was not fully implemented, leading to substantial revenue losses. However, tolls on bridges built after 2014 are being collected according to the policy, creating a gap in toll rates between older and newer bridges across the country.
The new Toll Policy 2024 aims to create uniform toll rates for all bridges. It proposes a revision of toll rates every three years, with adjustments based on the consumer price index, allowing for a maximum increase of 30%.
An official warned that implementing the new policy could result in toll increases of 135% to 320% on older bridges. Even with adjustments based on the consumer price index, tolls could rise by at least 36%.
Higher tolls would increase transportation costs, impacting goods prices and travel expenses for ordinary people.
Given concerns about public dissatisfaction, the government is reluctant to take steps that might cause unrest. As a result, it seems unlikely that the new toll rates will be implemented during the current administration's tenure.
Adviser Fouzul Kabir confirmed that there are no immediate plans to implement the new policy. The priority is to start toll collection on all bridges and roads, after which decisions on toll rates will be made based on the situation.
