Dilemma over refund of passes

8220;This is a temporary suspension, the toll may be re-introduced with reduced rates,8221; he said. The MSRDC is awaiting the result of the committee headed by Transport Secretary Suresh Chandra next month. The committee will give the government alternatives to the existing high toll rates. Till then, the MSRDC will lose roughly Rs 5 lakh in revenue daily from each of the five toll stations.

The giant and poetically worded message from Public Works DepartmentPay your tax and make yourself relax8217; is of little significance to motorists now who pass the deserted toll station at Thane. A car slows down near the six empty booths and the driver leans out of the window. 8220;Paisa nahin lega kya?8221; the motorist leers at the two security guards on duty. Exulting in victory, others honk and grin.

Sure the motorists are a relaxed lot now. The toll collection that was to continue for 30 years, didn8217;t last even 30 days. At around 7 pm on Saturday, phones rang at the toll collection stations in Mulund and Thane. Toll contractors were told to shut their booths and the security staff told to remove their uniforms. If the MSRDC has been caught unawares by the swift government order suspending toll on Saturday, the toll station at Mulund bears evidence of the apparent hurry with which the government rushed into toll collection. Unfinished cement structures loom ahead of the six temporary plastic cabins that act as toll booths.

And if there8217;s anyone who is happiest at thesuspension on toll, it8217;s the private security guards themselves. 8220;We don8217;t have security ourselves, and we can8217;t take the daily abuses and quarrels,8221; says an off-duty guard. A few days ago, a motorist had stepped out and hit a security supervisor when he attempted to ask him to pay. The on-duty policemen allegedly looked on casually. 8220;We can8217;t even convince them to pay up as there8217;s no flyover for miles around,8221; says another security guard.

MSRDC projections estimated an annual collection of Rs 115 crore from all the five toll stations. The amount, to be collected over 30 years, would help repay the Rs 1,550 crore borrowed for building the 55 flyovers in Mumbai and Thane. MSRDC officials said the stay order would not have an immediate effect on the ongoing flyover projects. Earlier this year, the corporation awarded annual contracts for collecting toll at the five entry points to five private contractors, at roughly Rs 20 crore each.