Ahmedabad: ‘Aaa tame saaru karyu,’ ‘Achche din laavya saheb tame, Achche din jevu laage chhe’, ‘thank you sir, national highway par pan jaay to saaru’, these were some of expressions Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel heard today from those on driving seats at Mahesana highway when he offered sweets to car drivers and informed them that due to a decision taken by the Government of Gujarat they don’t need to pay toll tax anymore on this and 11 other highway stretches across the state so far they are traveling in light vehicles and GSRTC buses.

The government had declared that from 15th of August, light vehicles like cars including taxis, rickshaws etc will not need to pay toll tax on 12 toll roads that come under the State government. These toll plazas are computerized and they will keep record of total number of light vehicles passed. The government will pay approximately Rs 150 crore to toll operators on behalf of light vehicle passengers. It could be more as the vehicles presently using service road will now onward divert to main highway road to travel as it is free. This is considered one of the most popular decisions taken by government after abolishing Octroi way back before ten years.

DeshGujarat