Mon Oct 14 06:21:29 UTC 2024: ## Mumbai Scraps Tolls on Entry Points for Light Motor Vehicles Ahead of Elections

**Mumbai, October 14, 2024:** In a move aimed at providing relief to commuters and potentially swaying voters ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Maharashtra cabinet has decided to eliminate tolls on all five entry-exit points of Mumbai for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs). The decision comes into effect immediately, meaning no tolls will be charged for LMVs entering or exiting the city from midnight onwards.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the decision during the cabinet meeting today. The move is seen as a pre-election gesture to appease voters, as the state prepares for Assembly elections later this year. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the election schedule.

The upcoming election is expected to be a tight race between the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress, and the ruling Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction).

The cabinet meeting also addressed the recent killing of former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique, with a condolence proposal being presented. The police have arrested three individuals and identified a fourth suspect in the case, which is being investigated beyond the borders of Maharashtra.

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