The PWD minister, Mr Kshiti Goswami said that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had been blocking funds to the tune of nearly Rs 30 crore, as the state government had not signed the SSA. The state government had opposed signing the agreement on the ground that the private company would raise the toll tax collected from users. Mr Goswami said: "We were opposed to the agreement due to apprehensions that NHAI would construct highways with private companies and they would charge toll tax from public transporters and goods transport operators leading to an increase in the cost of commodities. But since some of the states had already signed it and NHAI blocked our funds we were forced to put our signature," he added.

 The chief minister had received a letter from Mr Nath on 21 January reminding that highway projects cannot be implemented in the state unless the government agrees to sign the SSA. However, Mr Goswami said that the state government had signed the agreement a month back but the file was erroneously sent to the state Planning Board.  NHAI is keen on implementing its highway projects with private funds and the SSA is an integral part of its approach. The consent of states are necessary since land acquisition and motor vehicles acts both are in the hands of the state. According to NHAI the agreement ensures that the state government would not build a competing road to the specified highway causing loss in toll collection for private investors. The state government will also handle any law and order problem faced by the company.

The Centre has now called a meeting of all PWD ministers on 5 February where the state government would sort out the issue of blocked funds.