Apparently resorting to a pacifier after the MNS agitation on toll collection, the Maharashtra government today assured party chief Raj Thackeray that it would draft a new policy on the issue before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections comes into force.
The decision was taken during a meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister for Public roads Jaidutt Kshirsagar and attended by Raj along with his party MLAs, senior state government officials and a group of select journalists. "Chavan at the start of the meeting informed Raj Thackeray that the government is trying to bring in a new policy before the model code of conduct comes into force for the Lok Sabha elections. The new policy would be brought by making corrections in the earlier ones if there are any follies," a journalist who attended the meet, said.
Besides, Chavan also said that the state transport buses would be exempted from toll, so that the common man does not bear the brunt of the cost. "Ambulances will also be pressed into service on highways with the help from Centre," he said adding that the government was contemplating a modern technology based on Radio-frequency identification (RFID) basis so that there will be a direct and transparent transaction in collection of toll, exempting vehicles from mandatory stoppage at toll plazas.
Chavan during the meeting, which went on for two and a half hours, also noted that Maharashtra has maximum number of roads. "According to the new policy we are trying to eliminate toll on smaller roads. We are contemplating buy back of smaller roads constructed on toll basis. We will make budgetary provisions for that," the journalist said quoting Chavan. The CM also said that the state government has started electronic monitoring at some places and the government will soon start this at every toll booth.
Besides, the issue of toilets on highways was also raised to which the Chief Minister said that it was a serious matter and the government would think on it. "We will build toilets as per the Centre's norms. Wherever there is a land acquisition problem, we will even buy land," the journalist said quoting Chavan.
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