Collection of fee begins at toll plazas across Maharashtra

Santosh Sonawane | TNN | Updated: Apr 21, 2020, 10:55 IST

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NASHIK: The collection of toll fee at toll plazas across the state began from Monday following relaxation in lockdown rules by the central government.
In Nashik, according to a senior National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) official, there was a marginal rise in vehicular traffic, especially the goods carriers.
"Some lanes of the toll plazas have been closed as many toll plaza employees have gone to their native homes after the lockdown. Nonetheless, the rush at the toll plazas was easily managed by the available staff," the official said.
"The toll plazas at Pimpalgaon, Chandwad, Ghoti and Shinde resumed toll collection from Monday with permission granted by the Centre for transportation of goods," he added.
Compared to the days of complete lockdown when only vehicles carrying essential commodities were allowed to ply, there was more rush of trucks, tankers and other goods carriers on Monday.
"There was no queuing at any of the toll plazas in the district as people still cannot move out of their respective houses without necessary permission from the police or district administration," the official said.
Heavy traffic in Kolhapur
Heavy traffic was witnessed at Kolhapur’s Kini toll plaza on Monday. Police had a tough time in checking all the vehicles trying to enter the district, but the vehicles were allowed to pass only after confirming all the details.
The employees deployed at Kini toll plaza wore face masks and hand gloves and also followed the social distancing norm.
"The toll collection resumed from Monday. We have started only two lanes at Kini toll plaza. Adequate staff required to manage the two lanes have been deployed at the booths. They have been equipped with hand gloves and masks and are provided with hand sanitisers to avoid getting infected from coronavirus. The toll collection was smooth on first day," an official attached with Kini toll plaza said.