Mumbai: In a major announcement after Maharashtra’s state cabinet meeting ahead of assembly polls, the Maharashtra government on Monday announced a complete toll waiver for light motor vehicles at all five toll booths on Mumbai entry points. The implementation of the same will begin at 12 am tonight.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde reportedly made the announcement during the Maharashtra Cabinet meeting. He declared a toll waiver at five key toll booths in Mumbai, a move aimed at easing the movement of people during the festive season, particularly Diwali.
Which Are The 5 Entry Points Of Mumbai?
This decision ends the toll collection from light motor vehicles at the Dahisar, Mulund West (LBS Road), Vashi, Airoli and Mulund East toll booths. The toll charged for LMVs at all the toll plazas was Rs 45. The cabinet decision taken today follows a series of populist decisions to lure voters to Mahayuti in the assembly polls slated to be held next month.
The scrapping of toll at all the above mentioned toll plazas was a long-time demand from several political parties and citizen groups as well. This decision is expected to benefit commuters by allowing them to travel in and out of Mumbai without paying toll fees. Light motor vehicles include cars, jeeps, vans and small trucks, primarily used for carrying passengers or goods.
Details On Toll Booths
The toll booths were originally constructed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) as part of a larger project to build 55 flyovers in Mumbai. The toll booths were set up at the city’s entry points to recover the construction costs of these flyovers. The project reached its final stages in 1999, and tenders were issued for the construction of the toll booths. By 2002, all five toll booths were operational and toll collection began.
Longstanding Demand By Political Parties
The demand for toll waivers, particularly on the entry points into Mumbai, has been a longstanding issue. Political parties like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and factions of the Shiv Sena, both Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde's groups, have consistently pushed for this move. Recently, Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, reiterated the demand for toll exemptions.
