Beach lovers, the next time you plan a visit to Goa, do factor in an
extra expenditure besides accommodation and booze—toll—if you’re going
by road. Starting April 1, all vehicles entering Goa from Maharashtra
and Karnataka will have to pay a toll tax. The toll is applicable only
to vehicles registered outside Goa.
For Maharashtra, three toll plazas have been set up and they will start functioning from April 1.
The move has been approved by the Goa assembly in January following the finance department pointing out that it could be a source of income.After the ban on mining the economy in the coastal state has taken a hit and is left with only one major source of income — tourism.
According to the details of the entry toll displayed at Pollem (border town) HTVs having multiple axel will have to pay Rs1,000 per entry, tourist buses having six wheels must pay Rs 500, cars and LCVs Rs. 250.The authorities were thinking of imposing a toll of Rs50 for two wheelers and a separate rate for luxury SUVs, but that will take some time to come into force, they told DNA.
Former chief minister of Goa, Alemao Churchill told DNA that the state will get an estimated income of Rs 50 crore annually by the toll. However, he said its impact on tourism should also be taken into consideration.
Sudin Dhavalikar, state PWD minister was happy over the decision.“We have taken care that the toll was not a deterrent for the motorists.In case the motorist returns within four hours, money collected from him will be returned,” he said.
However, the travel agents and tourism managers wanted a higher toll. They had even recommended individual toll at the rate of Rs500 per head. Their contention was that the tourist vehicles coming from Maharashtra and Karnataka do not contribute anything to the economy of the state as some of them come in the morning and go back in the night. Also, they do not go in for a hotel reservation.So various commercial associations wanted higher toll for vehicles in addition to the individual toll. This was not accepted by the government, sources in the Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry said.
Over 5,000 vehicles of all categories enter Goa from Maharashtra while over 3,000 vehicles enter from Karnataka.But Goa was also in for some higher income through the tolls as the opening the ‘sand route’ by Karnataka and Maharashtra will increase the number of HTVs (tippers and trucks) entering Goa were on the increase as Goa gets its sand from Karnataka and Maharashtra for all its construction purposes.
Goa had reduced the state excise on petrol last year making the petrol prices come down by Rs. 10 per litre, this had delighted the vehicle owners in the border areas including Karwar.
For Maharashtra, three toll plazas have been set up and they will start functioning from April 1.
The move has been approved by the Goa assembly in January following the finance department pointing out that it could be a source of income.After the ban on mining the economy in the coastal state has taken a hit and is left with only one major source of income — tourism.
According to the details of the entry toll displayed at Pollem (border town) HTVs having multiple axel will have to pay Rs1,000 per entry, tourist buses having six wheels must pay Rs 500, cars and LCVs Rs. 250.The authorities were thinking of imposing a toll of Rs50 for two wheelers and a separate rate for luxury SUVs, but that will take some time to come into force, they told DNA.
Former chief minister of Goa, Alemao Churchill told DNA that the state will get an estimated income of Rs 50 crore annually by the toll. However, he said its impact on tourism should also be taken into consideration.
Sudin Dhavalikar, state PWD minister was happy over the decision.“We have taken care that the toll was not a deterrent for the motorists.In case the motorist returns within four hours, money collected from him will be returned,” he said.
However, the travel agents and tourism managers wanted a higher toll. They had even recommended individual toll at the rate of Rs500 per head. Their contention was that the tourist vehicles coming from Maharashtra and Karnataka do not contribute anything to the economy of the state as some of them come in the morning and go back in the night. Also, they do not go in for a hotel reservation.So various commercial associations wanted higher toll for vehicles in addition to the individual toll. This was not accepted by the government, sources in the Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry said.
Over 5,000 vehicles of all categories enter Goa from Maharashtra while over 3,000 vehicles enter from Karnataka.But Goa was also in for some higher income through the tolls as the opening the ‘sand route’ by Karnataka and Maharashtra will increase the number of HTVs (tippers and trucks) entering Goa were on the increase as Goa gets its sand from Karnataka and Maharashtra for all its construction purposes.
Goa had reduced the state excise on petrol last year making the petrol prices come down by Rs. 10 per litre, this had delighted the vehicle owners in the border areas including Karwar.
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