Raj Thackeray asks people to stop paying toll tax, MNS workers vandalize several booths

Mumbai - MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday asked people to stop paying toll tax unless the government explained where the money went, prompting MNS workers to vandalize several toll booths outside Mumbai.

Speaking to media persons here, Thackeray renewed his attack on the toll collection policy of the Congress-led Maharashtra government and alleged that there was no transparency in the process.

"I am not against toll collection. But a citizen who pays the toll should know where that money is going and for what purpose it is used," he said.

Toll tax is a major source of revenue for the state. Thackeray said Maharashtra Navnirman Samiti workers would stand guard at all toll booths in the state and "shall stop forceful collection of toll".

"Public is being exploited by toll charges. Government policies with regard to toll collection are not being implemented. We are going to write to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (about this)," he said.

Thackeray also asked why private parties were given contracts to collect toll from state collection booths.

MNS party workers vandalized several toll booths on the outskirts of Mumbai and in Navi Mumbai.

Mumbai Police detained over 10 activists after they reached the Bandra-Worli Sea Link that connects suburban Bandra to Worli in south Mumbai.

Last month, Thackeray launched a state-wide agitation against the toll collection policy and his party cadres hit the streets demanding that the state be made toll free.

Thackeray has questioned the need to keep charging road users even after the construction cost of roads, highways and flyovers have been recovered manifold by the state government.