In a major decision ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Monday that entry tolls for light vehicles will be waived at all five toll plazas leading into Mumbai. The waiver will come into effect from 12 am on Tuesday and applies to toll booths at Vashi, Airoli, Mulund (LBS Road), Mulund (Eastern Express Highway), and Dahisar.
This move is seen as part of a series of voter-friendly initiatives by the state government in the run-up to the elections.
Previously, the toll for light vehicles had been set at Rs 45, following a scheduled increase earlier this year. The toll, which had been in place since 2000, was implemented by the Maharashtra Government to recover costs associated with the construction of flyovers in the region. Currently, over six lakh vehicles enter and exit Mumbai daily, contributing to significant revenue through these tolls.
Maharashtra Minister Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse elaborated on the decision, stating that tolls of Rs 45 and Rs 75 were previously charged for light and heavy vehicles, respectively, with the charges scheduled to remain in effect until 2026. “About 3.5 lakh vehicles used to travel up and down, of which 70,000 were heavy vehicles and 2.80 lakh were light vehicles. Today, the government has decided to exempt light vehicles from the toll after midnight,” he said. Bhuse emphasized that the waiver would significantly reduce the time people spend in queues at toll plazas, a long-standing issue for commuters.
This toll exemption comes at a crucial time, aligning with other recent government measures aimed at benefiting voters. Many view this as an effort by the Shinde-led administration to appeal to the public ahead of the state elections. The toll for heavy vehicles will remain in place, ensuring continued revenue from larger commercial vehicles. The announcement is expected to ease the daily commute for thousands of Mumbaikars, especially those using light vehicles to travel into the city for work and other purposes.
