CNBC-TV18.com
By Vivek Dubey
Published Oct 14, 2024
Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a toll waiver for light motor vehicles at five toll booths, starting from midnight tonight.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting led by Shinde ahead of state Assembly elections, set to be held at the end of the year.
This toll waiver is expected to ease travel for people entering and leaving Mumbai, especially during the busy Diwali travel season.
The toll-free booths include Dahisar, LBS Road-Mulund, Eastern Express Highway-Mulund, Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi, all major entry routes into Mumbai.
Light motor vehicles such as cars, jeeps, vans, and small trucks, designed primarily for passengers or goods, will benefit from the waiver.
These toll booths were originally set up in 2002 to help recover costs for 55 flyovers constructed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation.
Toll collection at Mumbai's five entry points began after a tender was floated in 1999, with the toll booths becoming operational in 2002.
Multiple political parties, including factions of the Shiv Sena and MNS, had been advocating for a toll waiver, with Aaditya Thackeray recently joining the call.