Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday held a meeting with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to thrash out toll collection issue and later said he gave the example of Karnataka where there is no toll on similar projects.
Briefing the media on the meeting, 24 hours after he was detained and withdrew ‘non-violent agitation’ on the contentious toll collection issue, MNS chief said: “I told him (CM) that if the neighbouring state (Karnataka) can do it, why not Maharashtra.”
He also drew the chief minister’s attention to the large number of accidents on the toll roads. “ Several people have been killed on the toll highways and the chief minister admitted that there was a mistake in the toll collection model...and I told him if the toll collection model continues as it is, then don't blame us for attacking contractors’ houses in interiors.”
Explaining the Karnataka model, he said: “ Growth in number of vehicles was not considered (in M’rashtra). The system of collecting toll and the quality of roads are better in Karnataka.”
Chief Minister Chavan told media: “We had a healthy discussion with the MNS chief on the toll issue. We have incorporated some of the points which were raised by Raj Thackeray. In September last year we started working out the (toll) policy and it is before the cabinet and the first round of meeting has been conducted.”
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