Kolhapur civic body starts removing dilapidated toll plazas: The wider industry impact

The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation has initiated the removal of outdated cabins and hazardous structures at the Shiroli, Sarnobatwadi, and Shahu toll plazas. This action aims to enhance safety and modernize the toll collection facilities in the region.

The structures, erected under the city road development project in 2013, had remained in place despite the closure of toll operations, narrowing roads and creating hazards for motorists. Concerns intensified after a similar toll structure on the Kasba Bawda-Shiye road collapsed during heavy winds and rain in the 2020 monsoon, injuring two women. The toll booths were originally built by IRB in 2013 at key entry points to Kolhapur. Following widespread protests led by the Toll Virodhi Kruti Samiti, state govt, through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, bought back the project in 2015.

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This phased action will eliminate outdated and dangerous structures and make the area safe,” a KMC official said. KMC officials said the demolition drive will continue until all obsolete toll plaza structures are removed. Kolhapur : More than a decade after toll collection stopped, the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation has started dismantling old toll booths and abandoned structures at Sarnobatwadi, Shahu and Shiroli toll plazas, citing growing safety risks and repeated accidents. KMC has started the demolition work through a private contractor, with the Sarnobatwadi toll plaza already cleared. “The work of removing the cabins and structures on the narrow road at Sarnobatwadi had been going on for four days. With its completion, the road has become safe for traffic movement. Since Monday, work on the old cabins and structures at Shahu toll naka has commenced. After this, the structures at Shiroli toll naka will be removed. The move follows years of complaints that the abandoned toll infrastructure had become dilapidated and dangerous. the structures were never removed While toll collection ceased. Residents say the abandoned cabins continued to create blind spots, obstruct traffic and contribute to accidents, especially at night. Download the TOI App.

“If toll collection stopped more than 10 years ago, why were these structures not removed earlier? Because of poor lighting, several accidents occurred here at night. Who should be held responsible for those accidents?” asked Mahadev Hiremath, a resident of Sarnobatwadi.