24 September,2014 04:37 PM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
Despite recovering its advance, Mumbai toll operator MEPL is planning to increase toll rates by 15 to 17 pc at the five toll plazas from October 1
Amidst commuters' demands for the end of toll collection in the city, it has now emerged that motorists passing through five toll plazas in Mumbai will now have to shell out even more from October 1, with the Mumbai Entry Point Toll Road Private Limited (MEPL) planning to hike toll rates by 15 to 17 per cent.
Mulund toll plaza
mid-day had reported earlier, that the toll operator had already earned Rs 2,032.41 in the 43 months since it was given toll collection rights in November 2010 (Toll operator earns back advance paid, but you pay toll for 12 more years, September 19). This means that it has already recovered the Rs 2,100 advance it had paid to MSRDC for the contract, and continues to earn roughly Rs 1.57 crore every day from toll collection.
MEPL officials said the hike was within the rights given to them by the state. "From October 1, we have decided to revise the toll rates at five entry and exit points to Mumbai between 15 to 17 per cent. The revision of the toll rates is being done as per the rule. As per the notification, which was issued by the Maharashtra government in 2002, toll can be increased every three years," said MEPL Director, Jayant Mahiskar.
The five toll plazas are located at Dahisar, Mulund (LBS Marg), Mulund (Eastern Express Highway), Airoli and Vashi. After the revised hike comes into effect, the existing toll of Rs 30 (light vehicle) at the toll plazas will go up to Rs 35.
The same kind of increase will be witnessed for other vehicles such as trucks, buses and multi-axle vehicles. The cost of monthly passes is also expected to increase. The new toll rates will come into effect from October 1, and will continue to be levied until September 30, 2017.
