Central Information Commission
Jayaram Venkatesan vs National Highways Authority Of India ... on 6 March, 2026
के ीय सू चना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/NHAIN/A/2024/653744
Jayaram Venkatesan .....अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO
NHAI, PIU - Changalpet, No
41/8A, 2/285,2nd floor,
Velachery tambaram main road,
santhoshapuram, medavakkam,
chennai 600073 .... ितवादीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 05.03.2026
Date of Decision : 06.03.2026
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Jaya Varma Sinha
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 06.05.2024
CPIO replied on : 31.05.2024
First appeal filed on : 04.07.2024
First Appellate Authority's order : 06.08.2024
2nd Appeal dated : 03.12.2024
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 06.05.2024 (online) seeking the following information:
"Provide the following information regarding the toll at Paranur in TamilNadu CIC/NHAIN/A/2024/653744 Page 1 of 5
1) Total no of Vehicles that passed through the toll for each of the month from January 2019 to April 2024.
2) Total no. of toll fee exempted vehicles that passed through Toll for each of the month from January 2019 to April 2024.
3) Registration Numbers of Vehicles passed in toll exempted category with exemption code and time of passing of vehicle at tollpaza for the dates 11.09.2019, 15.09.2019, 20.09.2023 and 24.09.2023
4) The copies of agreement between NHAI and toll collection agencies/Concessionaires for each of the years from 2019 to 2024."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 31.05.2024 stating as under:
"Point no.1-Vehicles passed through Paranur Toll Plaza details for the period from April 2023 to March 2024 enclosed in Annexure 1. Details for the previous period is in the process of being retrieved.
Point no.2-Details not available in this PIU.
Point no.3-The requested information could not be provided as per Sec 8(d) of the Act as the disclosure would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the competent authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information. The requested information is not in the larger public interest.
Point no.4- As per section 2(j) of RTI Act 2005, the -applicant may approach PIU
- Chengalpattu office, which is functioning at "No. 41/8A, 2/285, Second Floor, Velachery-Tambaram Main Road, Santhoshapuram, Medavakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu. Pin Code 600 073".
The applicant may personally visit PIU-Chengalpattu Office on working days i.e. (Monday to Friday) between 10 am to 6 pm to view the documents in presence of NHAI Officials.
Photo copies shall be taken by paying actual amount as prescribed in RTI Act 2005 enclosed in Annexure.
Requested information is of wide nature. Documents can be collected from office."
3. Being dissatisfied, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 04.07.2024. The FAA vide its order dated 06.08.2024, held as under:
"Reply:-With reference to your RTI Application No. 02401 dated 06.05.2024 and RTI appeal No.00705 dated 04.07.2024, it is to inform that, CPIO, Chengalpet has furnished the available information for the period from April, 2023 to march, CIC/NHAIN/A/2024/653744 Page 2 of 5 2024 to the applicant. Remaining old information is not available with PIU Office and neither could be retrieved. The Public Authority under the RTI Act is not supposed to create information, or to interpret information, or to solve the problems raised by the applicant or to furnish replies to hypothetical questions. Only such information can be had under the RTI Act which already exists with the Public Authority under 2 (j) of the RTI Act, 2005". Hence, the appeal is disposed off."
4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Absent.
Respondent: Shri M.S. Chaithanya, CPIO-cum-PD, attended the hearing through VC.
5. The Appellant did not participate in the hearing.
6. The Respondent submitted that a suitable and pointwise reply qua the instant RTI Application has been given by the CPIO vide letter dated 31.05.2024. He added that the Appellant was afforded an opportunity of inspection of inspection of the relevant records which he had availed and requisite documents were also given to the Appellant after inspection.
7. A written submission has been received from Shri M.S. Chaithanya, CPIO-
cum-PD, vide letter dated 18.02.2026, stating as under:
"The Hon'ble Central Information Commission (CIC) New Delhi issued Notice for hearing on the Appeal/ Complaint filed by Shri Jayaram Venkatesan, Chennai, Andhra Pradesh vide File No. CIC/NHAIN/A/2024/653749, Dt.04.02.2026, wherein the Respondents have been ordered to attend hearing before Hon'ble Information Commissioner Ms Jaya Varma Sinha on 05-03-2026 at 11:10 AM. In this connection, the PIO/PD, NHAI, Chengalpattu submit the following:
(1) Shri Jayaram Venkatesan, Chennai has filed an application dated 06.05.2024 which was received on 08-05-2024 in NHAI, Regional Office, Chennai and herein referred to as RTI application dated 09-05-2024. (2) The aforementioned application was forwarded by PIO/DGM(T), RO, NHAI, Chennai to PIO / PD, NHAI, Chengalpattu on 09.05.2024.CIC/NHAIN/A/2024/653744 Page 3 of 5
(3) The said request was disposed of by PIO/PD, PIU, Chengalpattu vide letter No. NHAI/11013/2/2022/PIU.CPT/1000 dated 31.05.2024. (4) However, the Petitioner has filed an Appeal dated 04-07-2024 before the First Appellate Authority.
(5) Upon examination of the Appeal, the First Appellate Authority & the Regional Officer, NHAI, Chennai disposed off the Appeal Petition on 06-08-2024, the contents of which are reproduced as below:
"With reference to your RTI Application No.02403 dated 06.05.2024 and RTI Appeal No.00706 dated 04.07.2024, it is to inform that, CPIO, Chengalpattu has furnished the available information for the period from April, 2023 to March, 2024 to the applicant. Remaining old information is not available with PIU Office and neither could be retrieved. The Public Authority under the RTI Act is not supposed to create Information, or to interpret information, or to solve the problems raised by the applicant or to furnish replies to hypothetical questions. Only such information can be had under the RTI Act which already exists with the Public Authority under 2 (j) of the RTI Act, 2005. Hence, the appeal is disposed off.
(6) In this regard, the chronology of actions taken by PIO/PD, PIU-Chengalpattu on the RTI application & First Appellate Authority Orders, is submitted as below:
a. The applicant has filed RTI application dated 06.05.2024 addressed to Nodal Officer.
b. The application was transferred by Regional Officer, NHAI, Chennai on 09.05.2024 to PIO/PD, NHAI, PIU-Amaravati, which was received in PIU-
Chengalpattu on 15.05.2024.
c. Accordingly, information was provided by PIO/PD, PIU, Chengalpattu vide letter no. NHAI/11013/2/2022/PIU.CPT/1000 dated 31.05.2024 addressed to the applicant.
(7) The copies of the letters addressed to applicant/ appellant are enclosed as Annexure for perusal and reference please. In view of the aforesaid mentioned facts, the information sought by the Applicant stands provided by PIO/PD, NHAI, PIU-Chengalpattu and received by the applicant.
The above written submissions are submitted in compliance to Para 4 of the Notice dated 04.02.2026 of Hon'ble Central Information Commission."
Decision:
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case and perusal of the records, observes that a suitable and pointwise reply qua the instant RTI Application has been given by the CPIO vide letter CIC/NHAIN/A/2024/653744 Page 4 of 5 dated 31.05.2024 and the Commission upholds the same. The Appellant has not participated in the hearing to contest his case. No intervention of the Commission is required in the instant case.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Jaya Varma Sinha (जया वमा िस ा) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स ािपत ित) (Ashutosh Vasishta) Dy. Registrar 011- 26107042 CIC/NHAIN/A/2024/653744 Page 5 of 5 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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