Patole moves breach of privilege motion against top govt officials over toll contract extension

Mumbai, Jul 9 (PTI) Congress MLA Nana Patole on Wednesday moved a breach of privilege motion against senior Maharashtra officials, including the Chief Secretary, over what he described as a "highly irregular" contract extension given to a "blacklisted" private toll management company.

The motion, submitted to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, also mentions the Additional Chief Secretary (Public Works Department) and Managing Director of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), and alleged the extension caused Rs 3,000-crore loss to the state.

The motion highlights a government resolution (GR) issued on June 25, 2025, by the PWD regarding compensation to MSRDC for toll exemptions granted to light motor vehicles, school buses, and Maharashtra state transport buses at five toll plazas at Mumbai entry points.

In his statement in the Assembly, Patole alleged the contract of MEP Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, which had been blacklisted, was illegally extended, resulting in an estimated Rs 3,000 crore loss to the state.

MEP Infrastructure is a leading infrastructure operator and toll management company.

He claimed the extension decision was taken in collusion between senior government officials and the contractor in violation of norms.

The toll plazas mentioned in the GR are: Sion-Panvel (Vashi), LBS Road (Mulund), Eastern Expressway (Mulund), Airoli Bridge, and Western Expressway (Dahisar).

Patole demanded that MSRDC, a state-run entity, itself collect toll, instead of outsourcing the job to private contractors.

The opposition MLA called for a full audit of toll collections and flyover maintenance between 2010 and 2025, as well as termination of the current contract and appointment of a new contractor.

In his statement in the Assembly, Patole further alleged misleading information was presented to the state cabinet during its meeting on October 14, 2024, when the proposal for toll compensation was approved.

He questioned the basis for the Rs 910.92 crore compensation figure mentioned in the cabinet note, stating no clear explanation or calculation methodology was provided. This amounted to misleading the cabinet.

Speaker Narwekar said he would study the matter and take a decision on forwarding it to the privileges committee. PTI MR RSY