Two & three wheelers will not dole out NH toll: CM

Two & three wheelers will not dole out NH toll: CM
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 14
The two and three wheelers will be exempted from paying toll when the widening of the NH17 and NH4A is taken up by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said here on Tuesday.
After chairing the sub-committee meeting, which is appointed by the House Committee to deliberate on the toll issue, Kamat said the committee has also recommended that the four wheelers should also be exempted from paying tax.
“During the meeting, the NHAI officials informed us that the 2 and 3 wheelers would be exempted from paying toll,” Kamat said.
However, he continued, “the committee was of the opinion that the four wheelers, registered in Goa, should also be exempted from paying toll.”
The BJP and the National Highways Diversion Action Committee (NHDAC) have been demanding that the toll be scrapped for Goans as it would be an additional burden.
PWD Minister Churchill Alemao had said that the government has recommended monthly passes of Rs 150 for travel within 20 km radius of the toll booth.
When asked about the monthly passes proposal, Kamat said, “If the four wheelers are exempted, the question of monthly passes does not arise.”
Kamat also indicated that the exemption would imply even to LMV taxis.
He, however, did not make any comments when asked about what are the plans for goods carrier and the public transport (private buses).
“The committee’s recommendations would now be submitted to the Speaker Pratapsing Rane and thereafter we will take an all party delegation to Delhi to impress upon the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath,” he said.
Asked whether the re-alignment for NH17 was ready, Kamat said, it would be ready within few days. The officers are working on it and the presentation would be made soon.