Maharashtra to close down 44 toll collection plazas

Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra on Monday announced the immediate closure of 44 toll collection plazas in the state in a serious bid to pacify opponents of toll taxacross the state.

The government has identified these plazas where the toll collection would have come to an end shortly. The announcement was made by the state finance minister and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in the state assembly during his reply to the debate on the additional budget for 2014-15.

Pawar's announcement is prelude to the state government's new toll collection policy to be announced during the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature. The closure of 44 toll collection plazas, which were set up on the roads developed by the state-run Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation on build operate transfer basis.

Pawar's announcement coincides with the all party agitation launched in Kolhapur in western Maharashtra from today against the toll collection. Further, Shiv Sena, BJP and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had already announced to step up their agitation on this issue in the run up to the elections to the 288 member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly slated for September-October.

In February after violent agitation by MNS, the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had declared that the government was in the midst of formulation of a new toll collection policy which focuses on transparency. Chavan as well as state public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal had also indicated that the government was contemplating closure of some toll plazas.

The new policy electronic surveillance will be made mandatory to record exact road traffic. The government will also make it mandatory for the toll operators to provide amenities including toilet facilities. The government also proposes to audit of toll booths that are disputed.