Distressing road tax extortion was in practice in Maharashtra due to the vicious racketeering of corrupt politicians, some administrative officers, and contractors. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is not against road tax. But the objection was about where the fund from tax collection goes, why don’t the citizens get roads that are hole-free and with quality standards, and why the cash deal isn’t made transparent by utilising a new technology. All the benefits of ‘road tax scheme’ like the distance between two toll collection centres, workers in uniform dress throughout the length of the road, polite behaviour with the people, boards for displaying the amount of daily toll collection, inspectors, police, help and complaint booths, and public toilets, etc. were being thrashed. A toll-loot was being exercised by erecting unauthorised toll collection centres, and yet political party in Maharashtra was prepared to raise voice against it. Therefore MNS President Raj saheb Thackeray called for a movement against this toll-loot.

Maharashtra (Navnirman Sena) warriors destroyed unauthorised toll centres. The MNS activists spent days in standing by the toll centres with dubious collection records and prepared surveys of traffic and toll collection. That brought the muddled business of the toll collection companies to light. Reports based on all of this data were published in media.

As soon as the action gained people’s support, Shri. Raj Saheb Thackeray made an appeal that’ unless the unauthorised toll centres are closed and until they bring transparency in tax collection; no one should pay road taxes’; and it initiated a non-cooperation movement. Maharashtra (Navnirman Sena) warriors rendered fierce protests at some toll centres where the private tax collection companies resorted to using force. Raj saheb organised an open rally in Pune in which he clarified the views on the road tax issue, and called for a state-wide agitation by means of road-blocking. Of course, the transport of essential goods and emergencies was eliminated from this in order to avoid troubles to the common citizens. The ‘road blocking’ movement was triggered on 12 February 2014. Raj saheb himself led this action from the front. The tide of movement spread across the state, and the government invited us for a discussion to crack a solution on the road tax issue and avoid public outrage. Raj saheb accepted it. Raj saheb included experts in a road tax matter and chief editors of many news channels in the panel on behalf of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for this meeting. The panel put forth chief demands as ‘Any road project that shows surplus amount from road tax collection adding profit, the tax collection at such places shall be stopped, and the unauthorised toll centres must be closed. New technology shall be implemented in road tax collection.’

The government responded positively, and in due time the then Public Works Minister announced in the assembly that ’65 toll centres in Maharashtra are being closed’. This was the victory of the movement launched by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. In order to bring maximum transparency in road tax collection, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena presented a new pro-civilian road tax strategy through Maharashtra Development Plan by studying the schemes introduced so far and finding flaws in them.

Soon after the founding of the party, Maharashtra (Navnirman Sena) warriors began protests in various cities for hole-free roads. Contractors and Administrative officers were made answerable. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena brought this entire corrupt system to its knees with aggressive and innovative actions. When Raj saheb himself discussed the contract system and quality standards with many officials of reputable global companies, a shocking truth came to light. The mutually beneficial relationship between some elements in the corrupt administrative establishment and contractors, the standards are drafted in such a manner that these corrupt dealers alone will win the contracts and the global companies and those providing quality work would be driven out of the competition.

Roads in the areas where protests were carried out resulted in repairs, but the change is yet to be seen throughout the city. It requires strong willpower on the part of those in power. Such responsibility was displayed by Shri Raj saheb Thackeray in Nasik during Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s regime. We not only gave hole-free roads in the city within just 5 years but also constructed 510 km of internal roads in the city. There is not a single charge of corruption on the Nasik Municipal Corporation between 2012 and 2017.

A recent example is that of Wadia Hospital in Mumbai. If the government hospitals like Wadia that provide treatments at very equitable rates are closing down due to pending grants, where will the common public get treatment at affordable prices? Therefore, when Wadia Hospital was destined to close in want of grants, MNS leaders and Sau. Sharmila Raj Thackeray met with the Maharashtra Finance Minister; and funds worth Rupees 46 crore (460 million) were donated to the hospital by State Government and Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

Wildlife photographer Nayan Khanolkar and his colleagues Rajesh Sanap and Zeeshan Mirza presented a list of the facts covered up by the government with the aim of getting the Metro Car-shed 3 in Aarey colony a clearance and acquire a loan from a Japanese bank named Jaica. After the presentation of these and the like factors, dignitaries and citizens present in the auditorium were stunned for a while. Everyone made a resolution before leaving that this must reach maximum people and that our Mumbai must become a beautiful city. Life here must be pleasant, and one shall breathe fresh air.

Following this, Maharashtra (Navnirman Sena) warriors spread awareness about the flaws in Mumbai Development Plan all over the city. Mumbaikars raised a strong resentment and finally, the Chief Minister ordered this plan to be trashed and newly designed by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Subsequently, Maharashtra (Navnirman Sena) warriors spread awareness in all cities like Thane, Pune, and Nasik about their respective city development plans. We helped the citizens grasp important factors in them with the help of experts, and created a platform for citizens to register suggestions and complaints.

As a result, staff of Railway Security Guards were positioned on platforms in Mumbai and adjacent places for crowd management. Also, the Railway administration made a decision to allow pregnant women to travel by compartments reserved for Divyang (specially-abled) commuters. This decision brought great relief to pregnant women.

आझाद मैदानात आलेले हजारो शिक्षक त्यांच्या मागण्यांसाठी दोन आठवडे आंदोलन करत होते. आंदोलकांच्या भावना इतक्या तीव्र होत्या की त्यांनी आत्मदहनाचा इशारा दिला होता. तडक मनसे नेते अमित ठाकरे आंदोलनस्थळी पोहचले. आंदोलकांशी संवाद साधला. “प्रश्न मार्गी लागेपर्यंत महाराष्ट्र नवनिर्माण सेना तुमच्या पाठीशी ठाम उभी आहे अशी ग्वाही आंदोलकांना दिली.” त्यानंतर तातडीने राज्याच्या शालेय शिक्षण मंत्री प्रा. वर्षाताई गायकवाड ह्यांची भेट घेतली. शिक्षण मंत्र्यांनी प्रश्न सोडविण्याचं आश्वस्त केलं.