Maharashtra: ‘Plan to hike toll tax for heavy vehicles unfair’

Amid reports of the Maharashtra government mulling a hike in toll tax on heavy vehicles to exempt cars and SUVs from the cess, an umbrella body of transport unions across the state has written to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, opposing the plan.

Amid reports of the Maharashtra government mulling a hike in toll tax on heavy vehicles to exempt cars and SUVs from the cess, an umbrella body of transport unions across the state has written to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, opposing the plan.

Maharashtra Rajya Truck Tempo Tankers Bus Vahatuk Mahasangh has said it will ‘vehemently oppose’ any such move to burden the transport sector.

Raman Khosla, chairman of the coordination committee (toll) of the Mahasangh, said they had called a meeting of their members in Vashi on March 17, when they learnt the government may be planning to introduce such a proposal.

“If the government levies 20% additional toll on heavy vehicles to exempt cars from the tax, it will have an adverse impact on the transport industry. It will mean the toll for using the Mumbai-Pune expressway, Rs1,500 at present, will be increased to Rs1,800,” he said.

The organisation will resort to a chakka jam if the government takes such a decision in the future. Khosla said.

The body alleged the BJP-led government lacks the will to resolve the toll issue, and is now trying to burden heavy vehicles to benefit cars and SUVs.