MUMBAI: The public works department (PWD) has decided to increase the norm for minimum distance between two toll collection points, following a meeting with anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare last week.
A distance of at least 45 km will have to be maintained between two collection points. Currently, PWD permits toll operators to set up collection points after every 35 km. Senior officials said the new norms will be applicable to all new toll contracts allotted in future. On October 4, PWD secretary Dhananjay Dhawad and other officials met Anna to discuss proposed changes in the toll policy of the state government. Recommendations made by three study groups to improve transparency and efficiency in toll collection were discussed during the meeting. The study groups were formed in December 2010, following a protest by Anna.
Several decisions, including introducing electronic display boards mentioning the time and the nature of the contract and the toll collected till date, calling e-tenders for all toll contracts and increased computerization of toll nakas, among other things were taken during the meeting. "The decision to revise the norms for minimum distance between toll collection points was also taken at the meeting," a senior official said.
New norms prescribed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also state that the minimum distance between toll nakas should be about 50 km. Officials said initially the state's minimum distance norm was 60 km but has been relaxed over the years.
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