MAPUSA
The Public Works Department (PWD) has confirmed that a toll plaza is being set up at Patradevi in Torsem, while there are no plans to establish one in Socorro.
Executive Engineer of PWD (National Highways), Jude Carvalho, clarified that the government had initially acquired land for a toll plaza in Socorro but later decided to shift the project to Patradevi.
Carvalho stated that the decision to relocate the toll plaza was taken at the government level, and a work order has already been issued for its construction at Patradevi.
“A toll plaza was initially planned at Socorro, and land was acquired for the same. However, the government later changed its stance and decided to set it up at Patradevi instead. The work order for the project has been issued, and the construction is progressing accordingly,” said Carvalho.
The Executive Engineer also highlighted that a similar toll plaza has already been constructed at Mopa, but the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has yet to commence toll collection on the national highway.
He explained that the government must first notify the toll rates before any collection can begin.
“The toll collection process will commence only after the government formally notifies the rates. The central government has a policy of collecting tolls on newly constructed highways across the country, and this policy will be implemented once the necessary approvals are in place,” Carvalho added.
The establishment of toll plazas is a standard practice in the country as part of the government’s infrastructure funding strategy.
With the expansion of the national highway network, toll collections are expected to play a crucial role in maintaining and developing road infrastructure.
Motorists and local residents will now have to await further government notifications regarding toll rates and the date of commencement of collection at these new toll plazas.
