Hey Pune peeps, have you been stuck in traffic at the Somatane Phata toll plaza on the old Pune-Mumbai highway? Well, you’re not alone. Local residents and activists are fed up with the toll plaza and are demanding its closure.
Former corporator Arun Mane and RTI activist has submitted letters to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office and MSRDC authorities, pointing out multiple violations at the toll collection point. Mane claims the toll plaza is not following central government guidelines, with evidence to back up his claims.
One of the main issues raised is the toll plaza’s location, which is only 32 kilometers away from another toll plaza, violating the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ 2008 notification that toll plazas must be at least 60 kilometers apart. Additionally, the toll plaza is too close to the Talegaon Dabhade Municipal Council limits, breaking regulations that prohibit toll collection within 10 kilometers of municipal boundaries.
Residents in nearby areas have been dealing with severe traffic congestion and delays, with some vehicles, including ambulances, getting stuck for hours at the toll plaza. They have been requesting the closure of the toll plaza for years, organizing protests to no avail.
An MSRDC official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the matter will be reviewed as per the Deputy Chief Minister’s instructions. However, the official mentioned that the agreement with the contractor is set to run until 2030, and the 2008 notification about the 60-kilometer distance rule may not apply in this case.
The toll plaza’s legitimacy and impact on local residents were also brought up in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Maval MLA Sunil Shelke. The Somatane Phata toll plaza is one of four toll collection points on the 110-kilometer stretch of NH48 in Pune district, along with toll points at Shilphata, Shedung, and Kusgaon.
Looks like the battle to close the toll plaza is heating up, with residents and activists not backing down until their demands are met. Stay tuned for more updates on this ongoing issue.
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