In a bid to mitigate the currency crisis, the Maharashtra government today further extended exemption from paying toll on state highways, including Mumbai Pune expressway, till the night of December 1.
"I spoke to Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari regarding the same (extension) this morning. I have apprised him about the delicate situation on the ground. The official communication (approving extension) came to me in the afternoon and we immediately disseminated the information," said PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil.
"Once Gadkari informs us about the relaxation in toll collection, we will immediately disseminate the order to all the toll booth operating companies," he had said earlier.
The minister said the government intended to minimise inconvenience to people through the relaxation.
After the demonetisation of high-denomination notes on November 8, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that all state roads would be toll-tax free until November 11 midnight.
On November 11, the state government extended the waiver of toll on state roads and highways till November 14 midnight.
Meanwhile, the Central government today further extended the date for toll exemption on National Highways till midnight of December 2 to ensure smooth traffic flow and mitigate currency hardships.
The Centre had last week extended the suspension of tolls till November 24 midnight for all National Highways, as a relief to commuters after Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were rendered defunct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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