PIL against toll plazas where precious fuel is wasted in long queues

Due to the waste of precious fossil fuels by cars waiting in long queues, a public interest litigation (PIL) will be filed against the toll tax being levied across the state in Maharashtra.

The PIL will be filed by Western India Automobile Association or WIAA, a body of car owners in the Bombay High Court. The WIAA claims that during rush hours, long queues at toll booths result in burning of unnecessary fuel or rather wastage of petrol, diesel or gas. Instead, the WIAA wants the government to form a policy wherein a one-time tax is collected during vehicle purchase.

"WIAA is shocked and disturbed with the increase in toll rates in Mumbai starting from October 1. The toll should be scrapped in Maharashtra and other places as the amount of precious fuel wasted while in long queues is not justified," said Nitin Dossa executive chairman of WIAA. Starting from Wednesday, toll prices for light vehicles increased by Rs5 to Rs35 leading to massive traffic snarls.

"WIAA had been writing to the state government seeking a personal hearing to put across the point, but we were never given one. There we are left with no other alternative but to file a PIL and request the honourable court to scrap the toll charges," added Dossa.According to him, despite collection of toll amount the roads are still not maintained therefore a one-time tax should be charged for the upkeep of roads.

The rush to leave from Mumbai for a holiday during this extended weekend combined with higher toll rates led to traffic jams at the toll booths at the entry points of Mumbai.