Maharashtra may review road toll policy
The Maharashtra government may carry out a review of the state’s road toll policy in the next fortnight.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray disclosed this after a meeting with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Friday, in which he highlighted the problems faced by people daily.
“Chavan has assured us that he will review the entire policy of levying road toll in consultation with the Public Works Department. The MNS shall be invited for the discussions on the issue,” Thackeray told media persons.
Thackeray claimed that Chavan was in agreement with most of the points pertaining to toll levy raised by the MNS at the meeting.
The government, directly or through agents, collects toll for using various new roads, flyovers, bridges, including the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and certain highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Last month, the MNS launched a violent agitation all over the state opposing toll collection and even stopped the toll booths from operating in several parts, including Mumbai.
The MNS has contended that the toll levy should be rationalized and there should be a time-bound policy to recover the expenses incurred on the development of infrastructure.
Last month, both Chavan and Home Minister R.R. Patil had warned strict action against any person or group hindering the toll collection process.