Hearing public interest litigation petitions filed by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on the issue of toll booths, the Bombay High Court on Friday issued notice to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and the National Highways Authority of India, asking them to file affidavits by March 17. It asked the State government to file a reply on the question of toll levied.
“We contended that there is a conflict between the mandatory manual issued by the Union Surface Transport Ministry in 2008 and the agreement signed by the government and contractors in 2004. Moreover, the agreement is silent on facilities,” said lawyer Sayaji Nangre.
“The State government’s agreement is [for the period] between 2004 and 2030, but it is conflicting. So the court asked the government to clarify its stand,” he said.
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The court said it would look into the mode of calculation for deciding toll rates, if the matter so demanded.
The petitioners said the rates were arbitrary, and not in consonance with the rules set by the Union government.
The matter will be heard next on April 14.
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