Mira-Bhayandar: Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Warns Dahisar Toll Contractor Over Traffic Chaos, Threatens Action In True ‘Sena Style’

Mira-Bhayandar: The contractor appointed to collect toll at the Dahisar check-post, who apparently took the directions and deadline issued by the transport minister rather lightly, faced his wrath on Monday.

Irate over an alarming number of complaints received regarding massive traffic jams at the toll plaza in Dahisar, local legislator and transport minister- Pratap Sarnaik had paid a spot visit on 6, January.

Sarnaik issued a three-day deadline to the representatives of the toll collection agency while listing out guidelines to streamline the traffic flow by measures including- installing compact barricades, segregating dedicated lanes for exempted/non-exempted vehicles, installation of signages displaying information about reserved queues for decongestion and uninterrupted traffic flow in an orderly manner.

Despite indicating about his revisit to the spot upon the end of the deadline, the toll collection agency who had failed to implement all guidelines were caught napping when Sarnaik suddenly arrived on Monday.

Irate over the defiance, Sarnaik issued a stern warning and said, “Based on their request I have given them time till Saturday failing which the contractor will not only face our wrath in true Sena-style, but an offence for negligence will be registered at the police station. This apart from strict action by the government. I am a Shiv Sainik first then a minister.”

The erstwhile Eknath Shinde-led government had granted complete toll exemption for light motor vehicles (LMV) at all five toll booths in Mumbai including the Dahisar Toll Plaza on 15 October, last year.

Apart from providing relief to motorists who were charged Rs 45 each time they crossed over, the purpose of the waiver was to minimise pollution and curtail traffic snarls at the toll plazas.

However, due to the alleged mismanagement by the toll contractor, traffic congestion continued to prevail on both sides of roads leading to the toll plaza located on the highway in Dahisar.