AP fails to set up check-posts at TN border, loses huge revenue

Tirupati: Absence of RTO check-posts on state borders resulting in transport department losing crores of rupees revenue at AP-Tamil Nadu interstate border near Nagari as well as at Utthukota on Chennai-Tirupati highway in Chittoor district.

Especially Chennai-Tirupati highway is always busy with more than 500 yellow board taxis and commercial vehicles come from Tamil Nadu to Tirumala for dropping devotees. Similarly, Chennai–Tirupati via Utthukota route is also busy with plying of interstate transport vehicles and taxis from TN.

The Tamil Nadu government has been maintaining its check-posts at these two places properly and collecting temporary permit tax from commercial goods carriers as well as from yellow board vehicles (taxis) which enter Tamil Nadu from AP side.

But, AP transport department had wound up its two check-posts at Utthukota and Nagari on Chennai highway. AP transport department has its check-post at Renigunta only which is 50 km away from Tamil Nadu border.

All Tamil Nadu state yellow board taxis are coming without paying temporary permit tax to AP as there is no check-post in border. Moreover, all the TN yellow board taxis are going to Tirumala via Pudi road bypassing the Renigunta check-post.

In the absence of checking by AP transport department all the TN yellow board taxis or commercial vehicles are not paying the permit tax and going directly to Tirumala without permit. It is a big loss to the AP government in the present financial crisis.

At the same time, TN transport department is regularly maintaining the two RTO check-posts on their side on border with AP. And compulsory collecting temporary permit tax in crores of rupees from AP yellow board taxis which are going to Chennai with passengers.

TN transport department is collecting temporary tax of Rs 400 from our state yellow board taxis strictly. The failure on the part of state transport department to earn revenue by issuing temporary permits by establishing the check-posts at Nagari border as well as at Utthukota border is baffling.

Renigunta RTO check-post in-charge Ajaya Kumar told The Hans India that there was no proposal for setting up of RTO check-posts at Tamil Nadu border areas like Utthukota and Nagari. Whereas Tamil Nadu yellow board vehicles should get permission from Renigunta RTO , if they did not get temporary permits our AMVIs concerned can book cases against those taxies, he added.