Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today backed Maharashtra government amid a controversy surrounding a newly-set up toll plaza near Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, saying the Centre is formulating a policy which would put an "end" to toll woes of people.
The issue gathered steam once again after Assembly elections with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) having staged demonstrations at the plaza, located on the Sion-Panvel Highway, which became operational recently.
Indicating the helplessness in closing down the plaza, state PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil today said the government is "not in a position" to buy back the road developed at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore.
Addressing reporters here, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister said it would be "wrong" on part of people to blame the state government for opening of the toll plaza.
"The (Maharashtra) government cannot go against the (high) court orders and that is why government should not be blamed for starting the toll plaza (at Kharghar)," Gadkari said.
Appealing to people to "keep patience", he said, "Before the Assembly elections, we (the BJP) had promised to free Maharashtra of toll plazas. Our term in government has not ended yet. Central government is working on a toll policy which will put at end to the toll woes of people."
Gadkari said, the toll policy, once formulated, will be adopted by Maharashtra government, and that he is keen to finalise the policy at the earliest.
As the issue became politically sensitive, the state government is trying hard to ensure that public anger does not turn against it.
"The Kharghar toll naka was designed five years back. We have only implemented it, that too after delaying it for two months. We had no other option as the high court ordered us to do so (start the toll plaza) with immediate effect," Patil said.
When contacted, NCP state unit president Sunil Tatkare said, "party leader Ajit Pawar had mooted the idea of Cidco and MMRDA reimbursing the contractor concerned and waiving off the toll (at Kharghar plaza).
