HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has reported to the government about the operation of Tân Đệ Build-Operation-Transfer (BOT) toll station in the northern province of Thái Bình.

Drivers have been rejecting to pay the toll and threatening the toll station’s staff since early May as they thought the payback period was over last month.

The ministry said the BOT toll station belonged to the project to upgrade a section of National Highway No. 10, connecting La Uyên Bridge to Tân Đệ Bridge in the province, with an investment of more than VNĐ715 billion (US$31 million). The toll station became operational in July 2012.

The payback period was initially estimated to be 21 years and three months. However, after the ministry re-considered the number of vehicles passing through the toll station, the payback period was reduced to 10 years and three months. Therefore, the deadline for toll collection was set in June 2019.

Later, the ministry decided to add the Đông Hưng Bypass to the project following the approval of the government. The investment to construct the bypass is VNĐ430 billion ($18.7 million).

Therefore, the payback period was re-adjusted again, this time at 11 years and nine months. This extends the deadline for toll collection until January 2021.

In response to the situation, the administration of Thái Bình province has ordered relevant agencies to actively answer questions of drivers. Additionally, local police have also been asked to maintain order at the toll station. — VNS