Notes ban: Toll waiver set to cost state govt Rs144 cr

the Centre recently refused to compensate toll losses at 53 nakas in Maharashtra owing to a waiver for 24 days during demonetisation, the state government will now have to pay Rs144.67 crore to toll operators.

While 26 toll stations are under the public works department(pwd), 27 are under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. They were shut between November 9 and December 2 to minimise cash crunch woes after banknotes of

The private companies maintaining the toll plazas had invoked various clauses, such as 'forceful measure' and 'political encounter',toseekcompensation from the state government.

The state government had written to the Centre seeking financial assistance to bail out the concessionaires. However, the Centre denied to bear the burden, saying it was the responsibility of the state government agencies as the decision not to collect toll was taken by them.

The cabinet sub-commitee comprising various ministers will now take a call on the com

"The department has moved a proposal to the sub-committee in this regard. It will take the final decision. We will either have to release the amount or extend the concession period. We are, however, doubtful if they will accept the second option as the proposed extension will be applicable only after the period in the agreement gets over," an official from the PWD said.

The daily collection on the 26 toll nakas under the PWD is Rs1.77 crore, while the rest get Rs4.25 crore. Twelve toll plazas, including five in Mumbai, collect tax from all vehicles while the