Nashik: MLA Manikrao Kokate has on Wednesday demanded the executive engineer of the National Highway Authority of India to allow locals to travel free of cost at Shinde toll plaza on Nashik-Pune highway.
The administration should take care that vehicle owners should not suffer financial loss while using FASTag system and give momentum to road broadening work in Chehdi to Nashik Road stretch, he instructed.
Kokate met executive engineer of National Highway Authority of India V B Malunde at PWD office on Satpur road and held discussions over the difficulties being faced by local vehicle owners in Shinde toll plaza area.
Vehicle holders residing in those villages in 20-km area of the toll plaza should be allowed to travel free of cost. Do not insist on to get FASTag or monthly pass from them, he suggested. However, union road transport ministry has instructions that local vehicle holder cannot travel freely from any toll plaza.
Director of Shinde toll plaza Sunil Bhosale, however, informed that concession in toll tax can be given to locals. A monthly pass of Rs 260 is available for local vehicle holders and it is beneficial for regular vehicles. Around 600 vehicle holders are using it.
This concession will remain in existence after the start of FASTag method. Everyone should take initiative to ensure that more and more vehicle holders should get this pass by tabling proofs citing they are locals, requested Bhosale.
“I will meet Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to allow local travel free of cost, however, the administration should make publicity about the concessional pass which is available at toll plaza”, said Kokate and urged to take care that vehicle holders should not face any inconvenience at a toll plaza.
Kokate expressed his disappointment over the slow pace of work road broadening work between Chehedi to Sinnar Phata, Nashik Road and instructed to take penal action against the contractor for this. ZP member Simantini Kokate, deputy executive officer of Public Works Department C R Sonawane and others were also present on the occasion.
