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Maharashtra government gives report on toll plaza chaos to Centre
Long queues at toll plazas will recede in the next few days, the state government said on Sunday
Long queues at toll plazas will recede in the next few days, the state government said on Sunday.
While lighter vehicles have been exempted from toll tax at 53 toll plazas, no such exemption has been granted at 12 plazas, including the five toll plazas in Mumbai. The Mumbai-Pune expressway has been witnessing long queues of small and heavy vehicles, resulting in clashes over change between motorists and operators.
Public works department minister Chandrakant Patil said the toll plazas in Mumbai and along the Mumbai-Pune expressway have witnessed long queues. “There is a problem at toll plazas where small vehicles have not been exempted from paying toll. We have urged people to tender the exact amount. Operators, too, have been directed to make necessary arrangements. Motorists are facing problems at certain plazas. We have reported it to the Centre and the guidelines from them will be followed,” Patil said.
The state has requested the State Bank of India to make adequate cash available to toll operators. The state government has been promoting e-tag for payment. “We have the e-tag facility at all major toll plazas in the state and have dedicated lanes for the motorists with the tag. By opting for the cashless solution, motorists can easily avoid the long queues,” said Ashish Kumar Singh, principal secretary of the PWD.
Sanjay Shirodkar, a toll expert, said, “In some cases, the queues go up to 10km. The government has failed to come up with a solution to the crisis.”
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