Report: Sanjay Borkar
Daijiworld Media Network - Margao (SP)

Margao, Jul 28: In the supplementary budget for the year 2009-10 introduced in the assembly, the state Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has introduced an 'entry toll' for the vehicles entering the state. The proposed toll ranges between Rs 100 and 250 per vehicle. Kamat says, this has been introduced to generate additional resources towards road repairs and maintenance.

Kamat said, the state government is spending huge sums of money to repair and maintain various bridges and roads in the state that suffer wear and tear. Sources estimate, that over 4,000 vehicles enter the state, barring two-wheelers, through its borders with Maharashtra and Karnataka, on a daily basis. The government wants to use this new avenue to act as a catalyst to reinforce its depleting resources and the Chief Minister expects to mop up around Rs 20 crores annually through this entry toll.

Light motor vehicles (personal use) will be levied Rs 100 while entering the state, while taxies will have to pay Rs 150, heavy vehicles including buses will be charged Rs 250, with the two-wheelers having been exempted from the entry toll.