RTI reveals toll booth earnings. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says decision on shutting tolls on Mumbai-Pune Expressway delayed
Those praying for toll waiver along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will have to wait a while. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told Sunday mid-day that the committee appointed to study the “financial and legal viability” of shutting down toll collection plazas on the Expressway, and also for the five entry points to Mumbai -- Dahisar, Vashi, Airoli, Mulund and Mulund LBS Marg -- has asked for extended time to submit the report.
Also read: Light motor vehicles to get waiver at Kharghar toll plaza from June 1
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In April 2015, the Chief Minster had said that the committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary Anand Kulkarni, would submit its report by July 31.
Sources from the government who did not wished to be named said, “The committee had submitted an unfinished report on the said date, and was then given an extension of another three months.”
It should be noted that the Maharashtra government had appointed a panel headed by the PWD secretary to do a detailed study on the “financial and legal viability” of shutting down toll collection plazas at the Mumbai Pune Expressway and also for the five entry points to Mumbai.
An amount of Rs 35 is charged for every four-wheeler which travels into Mumbai at each of these five entry points.
A look at the sum that toll booths bring in to the state government will explain the delay.
Also read: CM Devendra Fadnavis announces closure of 12 toll plazas in Maharashtra
Toll collection data on the old Mumbai Pune highway NH-4, from January to September 2015, shows an earning of over Rs 136 crore i.e. Rs 48.76 lakh per day.
MSRDC’s vice-chairman and managing director R L Mopalwar said, “We have been receiving various RTIs, seeking information about the toll collection on the roads that come under our jurisdiction and so we have started putting up the information on our website.”
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