Team-BHP - 44 Toll Plazas in Maharashtra to be shut down

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Originally Posted by Swapnil4585 (Post 3730380)

An update on toll-
A local newspaper reports that, the Government of Maharashtra, on 26th of May 2015, had decided to exempt LMVs from payment of toll on certain plazas in the State, one such plaza being the Sion-Panvel toll plaza. Now as expected, the toll collector has approached the Mumbai High Court.
While hearing the case, the Chief Justice asked the State Counsel to enlighten the Court, as to how is the Government going to fund the maintenance works if there is no toll collection, and on what basis has the Government exempted LMVs from payment of toll. It has taken a view that toll collection is necessary in order to provide better roads to the public. During the course of hearing, the Court has also said that if the Government does not re-consider its decision, the Court itself will have to intervene in it.

What I am confused about is whether the government has agreed to compensate the toll booth operator (for loss of toll receipts) or not. Obviously, the private operator should be legally entitled to compensation to ensure that he does not suffer a loss after having done the road works. If the government has agreed to compensate him, then why is he dragging the government to court? Why should he care whether the money comes through toll collection or through direct payments out of the government exchequer?

The fact that the toll operator has filed a case suggests that compensation has not been agreed by the government. If that is the case, then the government should sort out that issue first.

Having said that, some of the statements made by the judge are bizarre.

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"How is this decision in public interest? In future, how will you (government) undertake development work? It requires money. On what basis did you reach the decision to exempt the small vehicles?” Chief Justice Shah asked government pleader Abhinandan Vagyani.

Why should the government be answerable to the court for how they reached a decision like this? On the one hand, plenty more important cases hang around in courts for decades on end, and on the other hand the courts want to spend time understanding the basis for a routine executive decision. :Frustrati

Something more good to cheer about for the people owning vehicles in Thane and Navi Mumbai areas. Closely on the heel of the recent announcement of toll exemption for private vehicles at 53 tolls, Maharashtra state government is on the verge of abolishing the Thane, Airoli & vashi tolls. Which means that MH04, MH43 & MH46 vehicles will be exempted from paying tolls at these points or at any Mumbai Entry points. This is in line with the govt's poll promise of making the state toll free. The proposal if passed will be in effect from 1st August 2015.

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A proposal is being prepared for the state cabinet's approval to waive toll for cars bearing registration numbers MH-04, MH-43 and MH-46, from Thane, Navi Mumbai and Panvel, respectively.

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However, there is no clarity on whether vehicles registered in Mumbai (MH-01, MH-02 and MH-03) will also be exempt at the five entry points to the city at Airoli, Vashi, Thane, Mulund and Dahisar. Levying of toll will continue on the Mumbai-Pune highway

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/repor....orists-2095853

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Originally Posted by ghodlur (Post 3732075)

Why exempt only Mumbai vehicles? I think all MH vehicles should be exempted. There is lot of Mumbai-Pune crowd who could benefit.

Does anyone have list of 53 toll nakas have exempted light motor vehicle in Maharashtra? Few days back I have been to Nasik and I paid the toll of 100 rs. which is from Shahapur till Ghoti and another one 145 rs. at Vadner which is 39 km from Nasik towards Dhule. As per my understanding almost all toll in Maharashtra have been exempted for LMV. The tolls I have mentioned have boom barrier and they do not let you pass unless you pay the toll. Both the toll operators told me that they have not been exempted. As I have seen one video in which Chief Minister Sh. Devendra Fadanavis clearly mentioned that only Kolhapur, Mumbai-Pune express and entry point of Mumbai will not be exempted till July and government is thinking on it. If this statement is true then these tolls are looting people. Do someone have information on procedure to launch a complain against them.

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Originally Posted by Swapnil4585 (Post 3730380)

While hearing the case, the Chief Justice asked the State Counsel to enlighten the Court, as to how is the Government going to fund the maintenance works if there is no toll collection, and on what basis has the Government exempted LMVs from payment of toll. It has taken a view that toll collection is necessary in order to provide better roads to the public. During the course of hearing, the Court has also said that if the Government does not re-consider its decision, the Court itself will have to intervene in it.

The court should also ask those toll operators who are collecting toll & maintenance of roads is as bad as ever. Forget all roads, we pay Rs. 195 to travel on Mumbai-Pune expressway and the road surface is pathetic. Why not question the private operators where the toll money collected for maintenance goes? And if they are not maintaining the roads as per contract then why should they be allowed to keep collecting toll?

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Originally Posted by Achilless (Post 3732912)

Same issue has been previously discussed on this thread. No toll exemptions on NH roads as they are outside state purview.

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Originally Posted by reverse_gear (Post 3723468)

The toll exempt roads are only state roads maintained by PWD and MSRDC. The toll exemption does not apply to NH roads anywhere.

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Originally Posted by khan_sultan (Post 3723489)

I don't think States have any jurisdiction on removal of NHAI tolls.

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Originally Posted by Achilless (Post 3732912)

Does anyone have list of 53 toll nakas have exempted light motor vehicle in Maharashtra?

Dont have the complete list but the list below is a partial one as seen in some websites. Also attached is the pdf document obtained from MSRDC website which is in Marathi and IMO incomplete again.

12 Toll Plazas/Nakas which have completely stopped by 31-May-2015
Toll naka at Wadwal on Alibaug-Pen-Khopoli Road
Toll naka at Shikrapur on Wadgaon-Chakan-Shikrapur (state highway 55)
Toll naka at Mohod on Mohod-Kurul-Kamti-Mundrup (state highway 13)
Toll naka at Bhandara dongar on Wadgaon-Chakan_Shikrapur (state highway 55)
Toll naka at Kusdab on Tembhurni-Kurdewadi-Barshi-Latur Road (stat e highway 77)
Toll naka at Akole on Ahmednagar-Karmala-Tembhurni Road (state highway 141)
Toll naka at Dhakambe on Nashik-Wani Road (state highway 17)
Toll naka at Nanduri on Nashik-Wani Road (state highway 17)
Toll naka at Shraptshrangi Gadh (checknaka) on Nashik-Wani Road (state highway 17)
Toll naka near Tapi bridge on Bhusawal-Yawal-Faijpur Road
Rawaltekdi toll naka
Tadali toll naka on railway over bridge at Chandrapur (MSRDC road)

Other Toll Nakas where Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) or State Transport (ST) Buses won’t have to pay toll tax
Toll naka at Kasheli- Bhivandi
Toll naka at Maladi on Chinchoti-Kaman road
Toll naka at Waghate on Monorwada Road in Bhiwandi
Toll naka at Kawad on Manor Wada in Bhiwandi
Toll naka at Shilapur on Nashik-Aurangabad road
Toll naka on Shilapur Railway overbridge
Toll naka at Shendi on Ahmednagar-Wadala-Aurangabad Road
Toll naka on Limbe between Wadala and Valuj
Toll naka at Khadakphata between Wadala and Valuj
Toll naka at Dehre on Ahmrednagar Kopargaon highway
Toll naka at Mhasane phata on Pune-Ahmednagar road
Toll naka at Bhabadbari on Prakasha-Satana road
Toll naka at Taharbad on Prakasha-Satana road
Toll naka at Dugeron on Chandwad-Manmad road
Toll naka at Panewadi on Chandwad-Manmad road
Toll naka at Yesgaon on Malegaon-Kopergaon road
Toll naka at Ladgaon on Aurangabad-Jalna Road
Toll naka at Nagewadi on Aurangabad-Jalna road
Toll naka at Barbada on Nanded-Narsi Road
Toll naka at Khanapur on Narsi-Delgur Road
Toll naka at Pimpriphata on Jalna-Watur Road
Toll naka at Malkapur in Buldana
Toll naka on Aarambha in Jam Varera
Toll naka at Nanduri on Chandrapur-Bamni road
Toll naka at Visapur on Chandrapur-Bamni road

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Originally Posted by amit (Post 3732929)

Unfortunately, there is no unity amongst us private car owners, in as much as filing of a PIL, etc, in the Court of Law.
I drive regularly on the Jalgaon - Aurangabad 2 lane state highway since 8 years. There were 2 toll plazas on this route, one of which (Neri plaza) is shut since over an year. I could not - and still cannot - understand the purpose of these plazas. The road is uneven, full of potholes all through. Just that they made the Ajanta Ghat stretch earlier this year. A driver, and his car - more so if its a hatch or a sedan - are both stressed out within just 150 kilometer drive. Sadly, no one has the time, patience and money to battle it out.

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Originally Posted by ghodlur (Post 3732075)

Something more good to cheer about for the people owning vehicles in Thane and Navi Mumbai areas.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/repor....orists-2095853

I believe this entire exercise is an eye wash.
On one end, we get the promise on no tolls for LMVs and on another side, each toll naka has placed a large hoarding stating that as per new directive w.e.f 1st June, 2015, this toll is not exempted from paying tolls!!

Yesterday, I had to pay a toll of Rs. 43.5 /- return for the Thane Nashik toll naka which featured in the list of exempted toll plazas.
Fail to understand what is this all amounting to?

Fleecing the customer?

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Originally Posted by arnabchak (Post 3738674)

On one end, we get the promise on no tolls for LMVs and on another side, each toll naka has placed a large hoarding stating that as per new directive w.e.f 1st June, 2015, this toll is not exempted from paying tolls!!

Please remember the exemption of tolls for the LMV's are for those roads which were either maintained by PWD or MSRDC and not for the roads which are under NHAI purview. The toll which you paid was for the NH3, hence not exempted. Its a different story that the roads in that stretch till Bhiwandi junction does not deserve the toll at all.

If you had recently been on this stretch, any updates on the proposed flyover at the Bhiwandi Junction. I remember seeing some structures being erected for the flyover.

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Originally Posted by ghodlur (Post 3738701)

If you had recently been on this stretch, any updates on the proposed flyover at the Bhiwandi Junction. I remember seeing some structures being erected for the flyover.

Girish,
The proposed Bhiwandi flyover is inching in its pace. Slow, super slow!!

Encountered good truck traffic and long queues near the toll plaza.
Lot of confusion as no. of motorists refused to pay the toll and in a case even a scuffle happened with the collectors!!

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Originally Posted by arnabchak (Post 3738836)

The proposed Bhiwandi flyover is inching in its pace. Slow, super slow!!

Encountered good truck traffic and long queues near the toll plaza.
Lot of confusion as no. of motorists refused to pay the toll and in a case even a scuffle happened with the collectors!!

Expectedly, there is no push I guess to get that flyover up and operational ASAP. Looking at the chaos which happens at that junction on daily basis, the flyover needs to be fast tracked. Sorry for going OT but can be discusses further in Mumbai Traffic thread.

It is not hard to conclude that the NH3 toll immediately after Thane will not be even considered for closure, reasons being the continuous heavy vehicle movement across the toll. More than half of the heavy vehicle traffic which need to connect to Western corridor from Southern corridor have to go past this toll now that Thane city has this movement restriction during peak hours. I seriously wish the Thane bypass which was being planned and still on the paper gets to the execution phase fast.