Passenger cars to be exempt from paying toll in Maharashtra?

According to a source, the Maharashtra state government is seriously considering to exempt passenger cars from paying toll. The government might still continue to charge tolls, but it might be applicable to commercial vehicles only. 

PWD minister, Chandrakant Patil said this could be a way to bring down the public anger against toll collection.

Patil elaborated, "That the PWD had sanctioned toll collection projects with a total cost of Rs 8,500 crore, while Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation had sanctioned toll collection projects of Rs 10,000 crore. In such situation, the state government cannot even buy out the projects because of the huge amount."

He added that the formation of the Panvel toll booth was criticized, but the state government's decision to exempt vehicles from 32 villages near the toll booth in Panvel tehsil has helped resolve the agitation. Other vehicles heading towards Mumbai and returning from Mumbai will have to pay the Panvel toll. Similarly, we will find solutions for all the tolls in the state.

Well, we are still not sure if this proposal to curb tolls for cars can be materialised, but it would be one of the best things to happen to motoring in Maharashtra state. Stay tuned and watch this space for more on this development.