Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde announced in the latest cabinet meeting that all light motor vehicles entering Mumbai via five entry points will be exempt from paying toll from today.
- No toll to enter Mumbai from five entry points
- Rule applicable for light motor vehicles only
- Toll will be paid to contractors from state treasury
Mumbai toll waiver to be permanent
According to the latest announcement, motorists entering Mumbai from Dahisar, LBS Road at Mulund (West), Eastern Express Highway Mulund (East), Airoli Creek Bridge and Vashi will not have to pay toll. This decision will not just help consumers save money but will also help reduce the massive traffic jams caused by these toll plazas.
Chief minister Shinde said that the "masterstroke" move would save time, fuel and reduce pollution. "It was a long pending demand to waive toll at Mumbai's entry points," he said. While the toll amount will not be collected from motorists, the state will pay the contractors from its treasury.
Traffic snarls have always been an issue at toll plazas. While the introduction of FASTags by the government did make the process faster, the volume of traffic at Thane, Vashi and Dahisar tolls meant it wasn't as effective at these entry points.
Sources tell us that the toll waiver will be “permanent”. Until yesterday, these booths collected either Rs 45 or Rs 75 per vehicle, and as many as 2.8 lakh light motor vehicles cross these tolls every day.
It should be noted that motorists will still have to pay toll at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and Atal Setu (MTHL).
Hormazd Sorabjee
Anurag Chaturvedi
