Shiv Sena activists stage protest against toll collection on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway

Representational Pic/File/iStock

Activists of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena staged an agitation against toll collection on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway and forced one of the toll booths to shut on Friday, reported the PTI.

According to the PTI, the activists and citizens led by Palghar MP Rajendra Gavit carried banners and placards and shouted slogans against toll collection.

Talking to reporters, Rajendra Gavit said that the traffic gets held up on the highway for four to five hours before and after monsoon and citizens have to face severe problems, as per the PTI.

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While it takes three to three and half hours to travel from Surat to Virar, it takes people four to five hours to reach Ghodbunder Road (Thane) from the Vasai-Virar area in Palghar, he said.

The situation is problematic for pregnant women, heart patients or those suffering from medical emergencies, he said, claiming that 55 people had lost their lives while travelling from Virar to Ghodbunder in the last six months.

Rajendra Gavit further said he held meetings with municipal commissioners, police commissioner, district superintendent of police, collector, and senior officials, but there was no outcome, which is why he staged the protest.

"For the time being, they have started filling potholes. But it will not solve the problems. The road needs to be repaired completely," he said, adding that a meeting will be held with officials of the NHAI, according to the news agency.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured that substandard road works won't be tolerated and FIRs will be registered against contractors who are found to be carrying out substandard work, and they will be blacklisted, Rajendra Gavit said.

Meanwhile, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray and Minister Dada Bhuse met at Thackeray's residence on October 13 to discuss the toll issue. Following the meeting, a press conference was held where they conveyed an agreement between MNS and the government to hold toll operators accountable and enhance transparency in the toll collection process at five toll entry points in Mumbai and on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

During the press conference, they also announced that a yellow line would be drawn approximately 200-300 metres before the toll collection booth. If the line of vehicles extended beyond this yellow line, the vehicles between the yellow line and the toll booth would be allowed to proceed without paying tolls to prevent traffic congestion.

(with PTI inputs)