
April 30: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation MSRDC will not collect its new toll charges from May 2 at the city8217;s four entry points as the notification is still pending clearance with the state government8217;s Law Department.
The notification had been sent to the department for vetting of its legal clauses before it is formally introduced. The holiday season in the state government, as many as four this week, seem to have played a part in delaying the clearance.
The state government hopes torecover Rs 100 crore annually from toll collection to pay back the Rs 1,550 crore it has spent on its 55 new bridges and flyovers in the city. Sinha said the frequent delays in toll collection dates had affected revenue collection. 8220;Every day that we don8217;t collect toll is a loss of revenue for us.8221;
The MSRDC had planned to start collecting the toll after it had completed five flyovers. It has already completed nine. The state could be losing as much as Rs 30 lakh a day thanks to the delay. Five toll collection agents have already been appointed at the various centres. The MSRDC will also gradually introduce computerised toll collection wherein a machine fitted at the toll barrier automatically deducts the toll from a pre-paid toll card installed in a vehicle. This ensures that toll is collected without the vehicle having to stop at toll stations.