Chavan assures MNS of new toll policy soon

“The proposal of buying back these projects will cost the state Rs 120 crore. We will need to request the finance department to make a provision for this. We also do not know if the toll operators will part ways amicably. If they approach the courts, the proposal can get stuck,” a state PWD official told The Indian Express.

Addressing media at his residence after the meeting, Thackeray said he was putting off his proposed February 21 rally from Girgaum to Mantralaya in view of the assurances. He said his party would ask citizens not to pay toll until the government brings in the new toll policy. “If any toll operator threatens people to pay, then MNS workers will create havoc at the toll operator’s house,” he said.

He also claimed that Thane citizens, who paid toll twice for entering Navi Mumbai via Airoli, would not be required to do so anymore. The state government officials, however, said they had taken note of the suggestion, though no decision has been taken.

During the meeting, Thackeray, in fact, suggested the state utilise the money earmarked for the mid-sea Shivaji memorial project to ease the toll burden on citizens. “The Chief Minister and other government officials were, however, against touching the memorial money. They said a separate provision would be made for buying these toll booths,” an official present in the meeting said.