No toll exemption for MH12, MH14 vehicles at Khed-Shivapur

PUNE Vehicles bearing MH12 and MH14 registration numbers will have to pay tax at Khed-Shivapur toll plaza

PUNE Vehicles bearing MH12 and MH14 registration numbers will have to pay tax at Khed-Shivapur toll plaza. Locals can travel the stretch on monthly pass of Rs300.

Vehicles bearing MH12 and MH14 registration numbers will have to pay tax at Khed-Shivapur toll plaza. An all-party protest in February 2020 had resulted in exemption of toll tax for MH12 and MH14 vehicles from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. (HT FILE PHOTO)

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is taking toll on the national highway connecting Pune and Satara. An all-party protest in February 2020 had resulted in exemption of toll tax for MH12 and MH14 vehicles from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Later, Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari during his visit to Pune announced suspension of toll at Khed-Shivapur. It was decided that vehicles bearing MH12 and MH14 registration numbers from Pune city, Bhor, Velha, Mulshi, Haveli and Purandar, and Pimpri-Chinchwad will be exempted from tax at the toll plaza and two separate lanes on both sides (Pune-Satara and Satara-Pune) of the stretch will be created for these vehicles.

But, according to NHAI, “The previous contractor Reliance Infrastructure had agreed to give exemption but failed to keep the deadline regarding completion of road works. Hence, they were suspended in November 2021 and NHAI took over the project to complete the remaining road of 138 kms which leads to the toll plaza.”

“According to the gazette, NHAI should collect toll to complete road works and maintenance. Hence, there is no toll exemption for any vehicle,” said Ankith Yadav, deputy manager, NHAI, Pune.

NHAI has the upkeep and maintenance of the stretch till April 2022 and will continue with toll charges. Yadav said, “Those living in the surrounding area of 20 kms are eligible for a local pass of ₹300 per month.”