Thanekars stage protest over toll, seek implementation of yellow line rule

After a brief Ganeshotsav break, Thanekars have come together to fight toll, traffic congestion and potholed roads in the city. They demand complete implementation of yellow line rule near toll nakas and subsequent abolition of toll collections.

As Ganesh Visarjan took place last weekend, it was also an end of the temporary toll-waiver that Thanekars enjoyed till September 23. When thousands of Thanekars drove through Anandnagar toll naka, Mulund to Mumbai for their work this week, they had to face the reality of paying toll tax which irked many of them. As a result, a bunch of angry Thanekars staged a protest at Anandnagar toll naka on Tuesday evening and were rounded up by the cops and were let off.

Badly affected were the toll pass holders who did not benefit from the toll-waiver. "Those who had passes till August end, demanded that no toll should be collected from them till September end so that, they can enjoy the benefit of toll-waiver given till September 23," said Kasber Augustine, president, Thane citizens Foundation (TCF). The TCF is an apex body of over 700 big housing societies and complexes in Thane. It has been at the forefront of many citizens' movement in Thane and was pivotal in getting potholes fixed in many parts of the city.

The motorists also complained of being stuck in the traffic for 30-45 minutes during peak hours which further rubbed salt on their wounds. "The situation is back to square one and we have to wait in traffic for over 30-45 minutes every morning and evening," said P Modi, a businessman from Hiranandani Meadows, Thane. He points out that the entire purpose of having flyovers across Mumbai for smooth vehicle movement is defeated. "We reach from Sion to Thane through flyover in 25 minutes. But then get stuck at Mulund toll naka for 30 minutes," he added.

Demanding implementation of the yellow line rule, residents rued that the rule was not followed. "All those vehicles which fall below the yellow line should be allowed to go without paying any toll. This will also loosen the traffic congestion that takes place from Kopri bridge to Anandnagar toll naka," said Rene Varghese, a resident of Thane. "In April MEP had said they will have a team to monitor the situation near the yellow line. But nothing happened and motorists who fall behind the yellow line had to ask the toll staff to let them go," he said.

Augustine who seconds this opinion said that even the toll staff expressed inability to understand it. The residents have threatened to intensify their movement against toll collections and will distribute stickers to motorists. "We want toll to be completely abolished and will have stickers saying 'stop toll before polls'," said Augustine.