Maharashtra: Stop collecting toll from two key Mumbai highways, Aaditya tells govt

On Monday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded that the Maharashtra government stop collecting toll on Eastern and Western Express highways in Mumbai

On Monday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded that the Maharashtra government stop collecting toll on Eastern and Western Express highways in Mumbai.

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Thackeray stated that if opposition parties form their government in Maharashtra after the 2024 assembly polls, they will shut down toll booths in Mumbai.

However, Aaditya made it clear that his party will not set a deadline to the Maharashtra government or launch an agitation for removal of toll booths.

"Western Express Highway (WEH) and Eastern Express Highway (EEH) have been handed over to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). But revenue generated from advertisement across these highways and toll collected at booths go to the MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation)," Aaditya said.

"The challenge before Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is to shut down these toll plazas immediately. I also demand that revenue generated from advertisers (putting up hoardings) across these highways be given to the BMC," Thackeray added.

"We are not issuing any deadline because days of this illegitimate government are numbered. If we hold street protests, the poor toll operators will suffer. I want the closure of toll booths on these highways and handing over of revenue collected through advertisements to the BMC," he said.

"It is unfair that the Maharashtra government keeps collecting revenue from advertisements and expects the civic body to spend money on repairs and maintenance of the prominent roads," added Thackeray.

"Post-2024 elections, we will form our government in Maharashtra. Once we come to power, we will shut down the toll booths in Mumbai. Tolls are like double taxation for Mumbai residents," said the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.

(with inputs from PTI)

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