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Tejas Navale

Pune: The Central Election Commission (CEC) has ordered the suspension of the increasing toll hike at the Khed-Shivapur toll plaza on the Pune-Satara highway from April 1. This decision has been taken by the CEC in the wake of the ongoing Lok Sabha election and the model code of conduct in the state. In this regard, a letter has been given to toll operators. The decision by the CEC has brought some relief to passengers.

Earlier, toll rates were increased at the Khed-Shivapur toll plaza on the Pune-Satara Highway from April 1. In this regard, the Toll Road Administration issued a circular stating that there will be a two and a half percent toll increase starting from April 1. 

In this letter, the administration also appealed to people to cooperate. However, now that the Lok Sabha elections have been announced and a model code of conduct has been implemented in the state, the toll hike has been stopped by the Central Election Commission.

As the CEC has temporarily stopped the hike in toll prices, commuters have to pay the toll according to previous rates until the completion of the Lok Sabha election. "This new toll rate increase will be implemented after the Lok Sabha elections," the management of Pune Satara Toll Road has informed.

As per a recent circular issued by the administration, there were plans to raise the toll rates for cars, jeeps, and light vehicles by Rs. 5. Consequently, the toll for light commercial vehicles was also slated to increase by Rs. 5, resulting in a new toll of Rs. 190 instead of the previous Rs. 185.

Similarly, buses and trucks were to face a hike of Rs. 10, with their toll increasing to Rs. 400. Heavy vehicles were also set to experience a Rs. 5 increase, bringing their toll from Rs. 415 to Rs. 420. Moreover, the toll for heavier vehicles, initially at Rs. 615, was expected to rise by Rs. 15.

However, the decision to implement these toll hikes has been deferred. There is a possibility that the toll rates may be revised after the Lok Sabha elections.

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