Nagpur: Ashmi Road Carriers Private Limited (ARCPL), a company headed by Nagpur businessman Pyare Khan has bagged the contract to operate toll booths along the entire Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway, and the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai, for a period of three months, a report in a local newspaper said.
According to the report, ARCPL emerged as the lowest bidder, offering to take a revenue share of 4.58% and 5.64% out of the toll collections on Samrudhi Mahamarg and the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link respectively from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The company competed with six other players for both the deals.
Today’s Rate
Thursday 21 Nov. 2024
The report further said quoting Pyare Khan that the contract for the sea link was bagged at slender margin. It’s a matter of pride for a firm in Nagpur to have bagged such a prestigious contract in the State, the report added.
He said the company has taken over operations on both the routes. As a toll operator, the mandate will also be to ensure better traffic management and do away with traffic jams, especially on the expressway.
According to Khan, the company will also be carrying out safety awareness drives by giving out messages to drivers that they should remain careful as dear ones are waiting at home. It has also suggested the MSRDC to have facilities for drivers to take a break at regular distances along the expressway so that the speed is controlled.
ARCPL already has a standing in the business and has been managing toll on other highways built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Ahead of polls, no toll for light motor vehicles entering Mumbai
Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly polls, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday announced a full toll waiver for light motor vehicles at all five toll booths entering Mumbai.
The rule will be implemented from Monday night. Commuters will now be able to use small vehicles without paying tolls from all five toll booths, namely Dahisar, Mulund, Vashi, Airoli, and Tinhanth Naka. The toll charge was Rs 45.
According to reports, the decision was taken during the Maharashtra Government’s final Cabinet meeting before the upcoming Assembly elections. This decision is aimed at benefiting daily commuters entering Mumbai in smaller vehicles. The toll booths at these locations have long been a significant part of Mumbai’s road infrastructure and serve thousands of vehicles daily.
Over six lakh vehicles enter and exit Mumbai daily, according to estimates.
