Small vehicles get exemption at Mumbai toll plazas

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The Maharashtra government on Monday announced a complete toll waiver for light motor vehicles at all five entry points into Mumbai, effective from midnight tonight. The decision of exempting small vehicles of toll charges at Mumbai toll plazas was made during today's State Cabinet meeting.

The toll plazas are Vashi on the Sion-Panvel Highway, Mulund on Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg and Eastern Express Highway, Airoli Bridge on Airoli-Mulund Road, and Dahisar on the Western Express Highway.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the decision of exempting small vehicles of toll charges at Mumbai toll plazas during the state cabinet meeting in Mumbai.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Maharashtra minister Dada Bhuse said, "There are five toll plazas at Mumbai's entry points, including Dahisar, Anand Nagar, Vashi, Airoli, and Mulund. Tolls of Rs 45 and Rs 75 were being collected at these plazas, with the toll system set to remain in effect until 2026. Approximately 3.5 lakh vehicles commute through these tolls daily, of which 70,000 are heavy vehicles and 2.80 lakh are light vehicles. Today, the government has decided to exempt light vehicles from paying tolls starting after midnight. This will also save the time spent waiting in queues. The government had been discussing this matter for several months, and today, this significant decision has been made."

After the announcement of the toll waiver, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the state government, suggesting the decision was a last effort to avoid an impending defeat.

"Desperate measure just hours before election code of conduct shows that Mahajhoothi government knows their days are numbered so try and salvage whatever little they can to save themselves from the public's wrath. Also because it has been under severe fire for the absolute and total collapse of law and order. Just like Ladki behen came at the back of a defeat, this toll decision comes at the back of an impending defeat," she said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said, "Light vehicles will be exempt from tolls at all five toll booths entering Mumbai starting midnight. Congratulations to all the citizens of the MMR area, and a big salute to my Maharashtra Sainiks. My Sainiks fought relentlessly for transparency in toll collections, demanding that roads funded through tolls should be toll-free. We faced criticism for vandalising toll booths, but often, extreme steps are the only way to make the government take notice. That said, it's a moment of happiness for Mumbaikars who are finally toll-free, and our movement has seen success. I congratulate the state government, but they must assure the people that this isn't just an election-driven decision."

"Mumbai may be toll-free today, but countless people have suffered in this toll system over the years. A fair investigation is necessary, but there's little certainty it will happen, given the complexities of who holds whom accountable. Still, it's a relief that Mumbaikars are freed from this burden. To my Maharashtra Sainiks - if anyone ever asks about the outcome of the toll agitation, proudly point to this victory of making Mumbai toll-free. Once again, congratulations to everyone," he added.

The Maharashtra cabinet also expressed shock over the killing of former state minister Baba Siddique and adopted a condolence resolution to this effect.