Maharashtra to unveil toll policy

To avoid escalation of confrontation with opposition parties, especially the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the Maharashtra government proposes to come out with a policy on toll. The policy would focus on transparency and end harassment to commuters by contractors.

The policy is expected to be announced within a fortnight, before implementation of code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.

As a beginning, the government plans to close down at least 22 toll collection booths, in addition to about 65 which had already been shut. The government proposes to discontinue toll collection on roads constructed with expenditure below Rs 10 crore.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who met MNS chief Raj Thackeray in presence of a few journalists, announced a slew of decisions.

Chavan said the government was actively considering an audit of disputed toll roads. He promised booths would be demolished on such roads where the toll collection was completed.

According to Chavan, toilets and other facilities would be put in place on toll roads.

Thackeray, who had called off his party’s rasta roko agitation on Wednesday, admitted the meeting was quite positive. However, he asked party workers and public not to pay toll till the government released new toll policy. Thackeray announced he had postponed the party’s agitation on February 21 in front of Mantralaya in view of the government’s assurance on new toll policy.

 

Chavan at the outset said the government was prepared to amend the collection system and bring in  new policy. However, he made it clear that the government will not tolerate vandalism. Chavan asked Raj to immediately stop such incidents in future.