Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided to collect toll at the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) once it becomes operational. An official from the MMRDA said, instead of outsourcing toll collection to a private firm and giving them the rights, the authority itself will operate the toll naka. The developmental authority will give only the maintenance of bridges to private firms. Learning from past experience, the decision was taken said an official.
“It is been observed when contracts are given to a private firm, we have seen they refuse to reveal their account details, profit-sharing runs into problems and they insist more by increasing the tolls. In order to avoid such issues, MMRDA will collect the toll. This toll collection will also help us to recover the expenses incurred for the project.”
MMRDA estimated to complete the Trans Harbour link project by 2022 and once open for public, then on it will collect toll for 23 years, to recover the cost and maintenance. Reportedly, the authority will charge Rs 175 from light motor vehicles, Rs 265 for light commercial vehicles, Rs 525 for trucks and buses, Rs 790 for the multi-axle buses, all for one way travel. This toll will be collected in two ways–Electronic Toll Collection and Manual (paying in cash).
Besides this, once the bridge is thrown open to public, Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) will be installed at a distance of one kilometre at three places on the stretch. The traffic on both sides of the Trans Harbour route will be monitored and there will be signage providing information to road users.
Moreover, the information will also be transmitted to the traffic control room. The 22-km-long Trans Harbour link interchanges at Sewri in Mumbai and at Chirle on NH-4B on the Navi Mumbai side. The estimated cost for this project is Rs 22,000 crore. This link will provide direct access to Navi Mumbai and the proposed international airport.
