Lok Sabha Question No. 2750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-16
Subject: Workers at Toll Plazas
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  contract  workers  working  on  toll  plazas  which  are functioning on National Highways in Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether the Government has instructed the contractors to lay off the workers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that services of about 56 employees have  been  terminated  illegally  by  the  contractors  at  the  toll  plazas  of Sengurichi in Kallakurichi district and Thirumandurai in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu; and
- (d) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) There are a total of 4934  contract  workers  engaged  by  the Concessionaires/ Fee collecting agencies at all the fee plazas operational in the State of Tamil Nadu.
- (b) No, Sir.
- (c)  &  (d)  Sengurichi  and  Thirumandurai  fee  Plazas  fall  in  Ulundurpet -Padalur section of NH-38 (Old NH-45), 4-laning of which was completed under Build Operate Transfer (Toll) mode. Operation and Management of

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2750 ANSWERED ON 16TH MARCH, 2023

## WORKERS AT TOLL PLAZAS

2750. SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

Toll  Plaza  is  responsibility  of  the  Concessionaire  as  per  Concession Agreement between Concessionaire and Authority. User fee at both these fee Plazas is being collected by the Concessionaire, M/s Trichy Tollways Pvt. Ltd. (TTPL) by engaging manpower supply agencies from time to time.

It was reported by the Concessionaire that consequent to the implementation of Electronic Toll Collection through FASTag, the entire strength of the existing personnel manning the User-fee collection booths was  not  required  and  accordingly,  after  analyzing  the  requirement,  56 personnel deployed through the Manpower Supply Agency were retrenched.  It was also reported by the Concessionaire that retrenchment of the surplus personnel was done as per the procedure laid down under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 after payment of eligible compensation to the retrenched personnel.

The  user  fee  collection  was  completely  disrupted  by  the  retrenched personnel  from  01.10.2022.  Concessionaire  filed  Writ  Petition  in  the Hon'ble  High  Court  of  Madras,  seeking  Police  Protection  for  smooth operation of the fee  Plazas. Hon'ble High Court of Madras has taken a serious view of the matter and vide order dated 04.10.2022 and 13.10.2022 directed the District Administration to provide adequate protection at the Toll to ensure smooth operation of the user-fee collection, on payment of necessary charges to the Police Department.  Accordingly, the Police have provided protection to both the fee Plazas.

ETC Collection has been resumed on 04.10.2022. Partial Cash collection was  allowed  from  16.10.2022  and  100%  from  01.11.2022  with  Police protection as per the orders of Hon'ble High Court of Madras. The strike was withdrawn on 23.11.2022 and Toll operations are running smoothly since  then.  The  Police  Protection  also  withdrawn  now.  Writ  Petition  is pending for disposal.

Labou r  Union has also filed a Writ Petition in the Hon'ble High Court of Madras seeking directions to quash the retrenchment, which is pending for disposal.

It  is  also  submitted  that  the  issue  of  retrenchment  of  personnel  is  an internal  matter  of  the  Management  of  the  Concessionaire  and  the Manpower Supply Agency based on the requirements to run the user fee Plazas.

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