Leakage in toll collection. The Authority started toll collection in Tambaram-Tindivanam project by engaging the services of M/s Tamil Nadu Ex-servicemen’s Corporation Limited (TEXCO) with effect from 1 April 2005. Audit noticed (January 2006) that the category-wise vehicles passing through the toll plazas were not recorded by the collection agent and that the IC had not conducted monthly traffic audit from November 2004. The Chartered Accountants firm appointed in July 2005 by the Authority to check the collection of revenue also pointed out several deficiencies in toll collection such as vehicles crossing the toll plaza without paying toll, issuing multiple use tickets and monthly passes without mentioning the dates and vehicle numbers, absence of vehicle barriers in the toll plaza, etc. and estimated a toll revenue loss due to these deficiencies to be Rs.21.98 crore per annum. The Authority stated that the security of TEXCO and other payments has been withheld and all revenue losses would be adjusted from those payments. Audit, however, observed that the payments due to TEXCO were Rs.88.39 lakh and much lower than the estimated revenue loss of Rs.21.98 crore. ♦Date of completion
