E-Paper
Teliarganj toll plaza to get new address
PRESENT TOLL tax barriers in Teliarganj will be shifted close to the Chandrashekhar Azad Setu so that light vehicle riders wishing to use century old Curzon bridge for crossing the river Ganga remain free from paying the tax . The Allahabad High Court has directed the authorities concerned to shift toll tax barriers by July 31, 2006.
PRESENT TOLL tax barriers in Teliarganj will be shifted close to the Chandrashekhar Azad Setu so that light vehicle riders wishing to use century old Curzon bridge for crossing the river Ganga remain free from paying the tax .
The Allahabad High Court has directed the authorities concerned to shift toll tax barriers by July 31, 2006.
Taking serious note of imposition of toll tax, the court said that "since old Curzon bridge has been opened for light vehicles, there is no justification for imposing toll tax on such vehicles passing through old Curzon bridge for going to Phaphamau or coming to Allahabad.
The toll-tax barrier at the present place is not warranted as it gives rise to unreasonable extraction of money from vehicles passing through old Curzon bridge. It is, therefore, proper that present toll-tax barriers be shifted close to the river, beyond the point of entry to Curzon bridge.
It may be mentioned that the old bridge is now open for the public since June. However in absence of footpath on both sides of old bridge the pedestrians face difficulty in using it. A large number of visitors who wanted to use the pavement during morning and evening walk face the risk of being hit by the passing vehicle.
They have drawn the attention of the court towards their major concern. Besides, approach road on Phaphamau side which developed cracks in the very first rain of the season has yet to be repaired by the PWD.
Meanwhile, the lighting arrangements on the bridge are not satisfactory despite the promise of the Nagar Nigam Administrator. Four streetlights were found not working on Tuesday evening. The new Chandrashekhar Azad Setu adjacent to old Curzon bridge also lacks in lighting arrangements these days.
Meanwhile, the court has directed the GM North Central Railway and DRM Northern Railway, Lucknow, to get a report regarding the Curzon bridge being safe and measures to be taken for its safety in future.
It said that if Railway officials did not find it fit to run the train, then they should make it available to PWD so that it can also be used as road bridge.
The Court has been informed that the project has been accepted by the State Government and some money has also been released.
With regard to a nullah releasing sewage and filth into Ganga near the Curzon bridge, the court directed the General Manager, Ganga Pollution Control Unit, Allahabad as well as the Managing Director, Jal Nigam Allahabad and General Manager, Jal Sansthan Allahabad to be present in court on July 31, 2006.
