Official sources confirmed that the political leadership had already issued directives to the public works department to survey car users across 91 toll nakas in the state. (Source: Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar) Official sources confirmed that the political leadership had already issued directives to the public works department to survey car users across 91 toll nakas in the state. (Source: Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)

Driving on most Maharashtra roads may soon be a free zip for motorists. Facing fire over a volte-face on its pre-election promise of banning road toll in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the state has plans to exempt cars and SUVs from paying toll on most roads.

Though the political leadership is pressing for an announcement during the ongoing Budget Session of the Maharashtra legislature, its pros and cons are being worked out.

“The government will have to slap an additional levy on heavy vehicles to make up for revenue loss due to such an exemption, which could in turn increase prices of essential commodities such as milk and vegetables,” said a senior official said who did not wish to be named.

Official sources confirmed that the political leadership had already issued directives to the public works department to survey car users across 91 toll nakas in the state.

Of these, the PWD oversees 23 toll nakas, while 53 are controlled by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). An internal document on the revenue shortfall on account of the exemption is being readied.

A senior minister said the state was in a bind on whether it could extend the exemption to projects such as the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the five other entry points in Mumbai, where car and SUV users account for the bulk of traffic. Sources said the MSRDC had opposed the move.

The Nitin Gadkari-led Union Ministry for Road Transport is already working on modalities for a similar initiative for national highways.

The Congress, the NCP, the Shiv Sena and the MNS had intensified their campaign against toll tax across the state. They all rallied around cricket star Sachin Tendulkar who ultimately voiced his concern over toll tax and traffic snarls.

Sources said the state government was seeking legal opinion on toll contracts that MSRDC had entered into for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai Entry Points Ltd (MEPL), which concerns toll nakas at the five entry points to Mumbai.

On March 12, Fadnavis had taken a swipe at the former Congress-NCP regime, claiming that these contracts did not have a buyback clause and were lopsided. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway toll contract was entered into in 2002. MSRDC officials said the concept of buyback in toll contracts had not been explored then. Officials pointed out that the MEPL contract, which was executed much later, contained a termination clause.

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