Pune: Closure of Somatane Phata Toll Plaza Under Review Following Complaints

Pune, 22nd January 2025: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has been instructed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office to review the demands and complaints from local residents and activists calling for the closure of the Somatane Phata toll plaza on the old Pune-Mumbai highway.

This directive comes after Arun Mane, a former corporator from Talegaon Dabhade and an RTI activist, submitted letters to both the Deputy Chief Minister’s office and MSRDC authorities. Mane has raised concerns about what he describes as multiple violations at the toll collection point. “The toll plaza is operating in clear violation of central government guidelines. We have documentary evidence to support our claims of non-compliance,” Mane stated.

The letters submitted by Mane highlight several irregularities, including the plaza’s location in relation to other toll points. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ 2008 notification, toll plazas must be at least 60 kilometers apart. However, the Somatane Phata toll plaza is located just 32 kilometers from the Varsoli toll plaza, which Mane argues is a violation of the rule.

Furthermore, the location of the toll plaza is only 2 kilometers from the Talegaon Dabhade Municipal Council limits, breaching regulations that prohibit toll collection within 10 kilometers of municipal boundaries. Complaints also reference a declaration by a former tehsildar that the toll plaza is unauthorized. “We demand the immediate closure of this toll point, or we will be forced to protest,” Mane warned. He also intends to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to present the issue. “I have been informed that the Chief Minister is currently out of state, but I will meet him soon to discuss this matter,” Mane added.

Residents of nearby areas have voiced frustration over severe traffic congestion caused by the toll plaza. Motorists, including ambulances, have experienced delays of up to several hours. “Vehicles often get stuck at the toll plaza for long periods. We have been requesting its closure for the past two to three years, and have organized multiple protests, but no concrete action has been taken,” a local resident of Talegaon said.

Residents also highlighted the lack of service roads for nearby villages, making access more difficult.

An MSRDC official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the matter would be reviewed in line with the Deputy Chief Minister’s instructions. However, the official pointed out that the agreement with the contractor, which dates back to 2006, is set to run until 2030.

“The notification regarding the 60-kilometer distance rule was issued in 2008, after the agreement with the concessionaire had already been made. Therefore, it may not apply in this case. However, we will carefully examine the situation as per the Deputy Chief Minister’s directions,” the official stated.

The issue of the toll plaza’s legitimacy and its impact on local residents was raised earlier in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Maval MLA Sunil Shelke. Somatane Phata toll plaza, along with toll points at Shilphata, Shedung, and Kusgaon, is one of the four toll collection points on the 110-kilometer stretch of NH48 in Pune district.