MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 27: The state government has decided to scale down the toll charges at the five entry points to the city, state Advocate General C J Sawant told the Bombay High Court today. Accordingly, a new notification will be issued soon and it will be published in the state government gazette. The group of petitioners challenging the levy will then address the court on the issue, it was decided. The matter has now been scheduled for hearing in October.Sawant told the bench of the Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice S H Kapadia that the new toll rates for vehicles are: cars, Rs 15 instead of the earlier Rs 20, tempos Rs 20 instead of Rs 25, buses Rs 40 instead of Rs 50, and other heavy vehicles like tractors and trailors will have to pay Rs 50 instead of the earlier Rs 100.According to these rates, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which is constructing 55 flyovers in Mumbai, will lose about 40 per cent of the revenue it had expected to raise from this source.However, Sawant told the court that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) along with the state government will chip in to make do the losses.The BMC, which was earlier expected to pay the MSRDC Rs 25 crore for maintenance of the flyovers on roads owned by the civic corporation, will now contribute Rs 30 crore. Similarly, a cess already announced by the state government on petrol and diesel will be used to mop up the remaining funds.According to the new estimates, the MSRDC will levy a toll only for 27 years instead of the earlier envisaged 30 years.A system of coupons and monthly passes is further expected to provide motorists relief as the scheme envisages a monthly pass at the cost of Rs 600 wherein the user will be able to enter the city from any of the entry points. Similarly, a person buying coupons in bulk will be entitled to discounts. With the notification in the offing and the court's leave needed for implementation of the new rates, thestate government has said that no toll will be levied till the court gives its go-ahead.Individual motorists and transport operators had vehemently opposed the steep toll charges soon after they were levied a few months ago. The severe backlash, especially violent protests at the Dahisar check naka and parallel litigation, soon forced the MSRDC on to the backfoot.The MSRDC in August eventually stayed the toll notification for a month. However, despite the notification being lifted the revised rates can be imposed only after the litigation concludes. To offset losses, the government has also proposed to levy a sales tax of 25 paise per litre of petrol and 30 paise on diesel, from which it expects to mop up Rs 38 crore.
