Toll row: Maharashtra Chief Minister meets Raj Thackeray, assures him of exemption for state buses

Mumbai: Apparently resorting to a pacifier after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) agitation on toll collection, the Maharashtra government today assured party chief Raj Thackeray that it would draft a new policy on the issue before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections comes into force.

The decision was taken during a meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister for Public roads Jaidutt Kshirsagar and attended by Mr Thackeray along with his party MLAs, senior state government officials and a group of select journalists.

Besides, Mr Chavan also said that the state transport buses would be exempted from toll, so that the common man does not bear the brunt of the cost.

"Ambulances will also be pressed into service on highways with the help from Centre," said a journalist who was present at the meeting. He added that the state government was contemplating a modern technology based on Radio-frequency identification (RFID) basis so that there will be a direct and transparent transaction in collection of toll, exempting vehicles from mandatory stoppage at toll plazas.

The Chief Minister said that his government has started electronic monitoring at some places and it will be extended to every toll booth very soon.

Later, talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme, Mr Chavan said the government had a healthy discussion with the MNS chief on the toll issue.

"We have incorporated some of the points which were raised by Raj Thackeray. In September last year we started working out the (toll) policy and it is before the cabinet and the first round of meeting has been conducted," the Chief Minister said.

Commenting on the protest rally which would be carried out by the MNS on February 21 from Girgaum Chowpatty to the Mantralaya (state Secretariat), Mr Chavan said that he has requested Mr Thackeray not to indulge in such kind of agitations.

"I have requested them not to indulge in such kind of agitations. There is a need to have healthy discussion. We will try to bring in more transparency in the policy," he added.

Mr Chavan informed that two years back the government had a discussion with veteran social activist Anna Hazare and we had taken few decisions which have been implemented.

Raj Thackeray during the meet opined that toll plazas which cost below Rs 10 crore should not be built on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.