Mulayam eyes toll tax for national highways

Taking cue from the National Highways Authority of India, the Mulayam Singh Yadav government is set to impose toll tax for upgrading and smoothening the state highways spread over 6,800 km. About 70 per cent of the cost incurred in the construction of a highway will come from commuters.

The government has also decided to invite private investors for construction and maintenance of these highways. The reason — it would require more than Rs 3,500 crore for the construction and maintenance of these roads and the cash-strapped government cannot bear the extra burden.