Maha govt announces closure of 44 toll booths across state

After the debacle in the Lok Sabha election, the Congress-NCP led Maharashtra government, with view on the upcoming assembly elections, has announced the closure of 44 toll collection centres across the state on Monday. “The state government has decided to close 44 toll collection centre across the state. It will put an additional Rs 346 cr financial burden over the state exchequer. The state transport buses are also exempted from paying the toll charges now,” said Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister in response to the discussion on the additional budget in the monsoon session. [caption id=“attachment_1563027” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Ibnlive[/caption] He added that the 44 toll centres include 34 of the Public Works Department (PWD) and 10 of the Maharashtra State and Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). “We will also appeal the Union Government to close the toll centres that are on national highways and the BJP leaders should also put a request for it to the Union Government. So, the people will get significant relief,” said Pawar adding that adding that and all-party delegation should meet the Union Road and Transport minister Nitin Gadkari to request him to exempt the state transport buses from paying the toll charges on the national highways. The 44 toll collection centres are located at Nasik, Amarawati, Nagpur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Aurangabad, Pune, Sangali, Solapur, Satara, and Raigad. In all, there are 166 toll centres across the state. Out of 166, 73 toll centres are owned by the PWD, 53 by the MSRDC and 40 by the Union Government (National Highways). Vinod Tawade, BJP leader and opposition leader in legislative council said that the state government has taken decision too late. In February, the MNS has raised the issue of toll collection and protested across the state over the irregularities in toll collection. BJP leaders had also said that they would make Maharashtra toll free if they were voted to power.