Business
Tendulkar speaks out against toll tax in Maharashtra
Mumbai, March 13
Cricket legend Sachin
Tendulkar has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,
drawing his attention to the "physical and mental toll on citizens" over
toll tax.
"I am deeply concerned about the present state of
affairs concerning the operations of toll gates around the city of
Mumbai," Tendulkar said in a two-page missive on the letterhead of the
Rajya Sabha, of which he is a nominated member.
The letter was sent to Fadnavis on February 20 and was made public on Friday.
"I
would sincerely request you to kindly reconsider the model of
operations to reduce the physical and mental toll on citizens who travel
in and out of Mumbai," the letter said.
Tendulkar urged the
chief minister to ensure that motorists have an easier time navigating
the country's commercial capital and reduce the anguish being faced by
citizens.
Reciprocating, Fadnavis assured the legislative council
that the state government would look into the concerned expressed by
the icon on the vexed toll tax issues.
"We have taken note of his
letter... I assure the house that we will overcome in a transparent way
the legal hurdles to bring an end to toll plazas... We are committed to
clear the legal hurdles in shutting down the toll plazas in the state,"
Fadnavis said.
He pointed out that a review of the agreements of
major toll operators revealed that there was no "buy-back" clause for
which a probe has been initiated with possibilities of seeking legal
redressal.
Maharashtra PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil and
Transport Minister Diwakar Raote have largely welcomed Tendulkar's
initiative on the prickly issue of toll tax.
However, Raote of
the Shiv Sena told a private TV channel that by raising this issue at
least "Sachin finally remembers Mumbai and Maharashtra".
"Is he
ignorant about the issues plaguing farmers," he retorted at the
master-blaster's unexpected sympathy for the people of Mumbai and others
parts of the state reeling under the burden of toll tax since nearly
two decades.
Later this evening, Raote tendered an unconditional
public apology for his statement to Tendulkar, saying they were not
intended to insult the sentiments of the cricket icon in any manner.
Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leaders welcomed Tendulkar's intervention in the issue.
"With
the growth of the city, there is a lot of travel that happens from
satellite towns especially from Vashi and Thane. In this context, there
is a need to re-look at the number of toll gates rather than keep adding
to the list. These tolls (gates) have become major road blocks
resulting in traffic snarls, burning fuel and adding to pollution
levels," Tendulkar wrote.
Moreover, he rued how the hike in the
toll tax has added to the woes of people as the time taken to complete
the transaction for each vehicle has increased on account of issues of
small change (Rs.5).
Castigating toll operators, Tendulkar said
they need to invest in technology which can help alleviate the
limitations of collecting toll, including using RFID enabled cards
within India and other similar solutions used worldwide.
"One
must bear in mind that Mumbai as a city as always lead the way in terms
of adoption of technology and modernisation, but sadly we seem to be
lagging behind on the convergence of toll collection and technology," he
pointed out.
Tendulkar also delivered his piece of mind on the
conditions of roads and cited the examples of the toll posts connecting
Vashi and Airoli in Navi Mumbai.
He urged Fadnavis to ensure a
24x7 dedicated and open lane for ambulances which routinely get stuck in
traffic jams at toll tax lanes.
"I have seen on multiple
occasions, where ambulances are unable to cross a toll gate as they are
stuck in the traffic snarl, compromising the person in need of critical
care. Movement of ambulances have been an issue in the city and we
should make a start by ensuring smooth passage at the toll gates,"
Tendulkar pleaded.