Mon Oct 14 08:57:28 UTC 2024: ## Mumbai Toll Booths Go Toll-Free for Light Vehicles Ahead of Elections

**Mumbai, October 14, 2024** – In a move that has been met with both praise and skepticism, the Maharashtra government has announced a complete toll waiver for all light motor vehicles entering Mumbai. The waiver, effective from midnight, will affect all five toll booths in the city, namely Dahisar, LBS Road-Mulund, Eastern Express Highway-Mulund, Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi.

The decision, announced by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a Cabinet meeting, is expected to bring relief to commuters traveling in and out of Mumbai, particularly in the lead up to the upcoming Diwali festival. The toll waiver will also save commuters time and fuel, while reducing pollution, according to the government.

The toll waiver for light motor vehicles, which include cars, jeeps, vans, auto-rickshaws, taxis, delivery vans, and small trucks, has been a long-standing demand from activists and commuters alike. Many, including activists who had previously approached the court, welcomed the decision.

However, the timing of the announcement, just ahead of the Assembly polls, has raised eyebrows. While the government claims this is a permanent move, opposition parties have labeled it a desperate election tactic, arguing that the move is simply a bid to win back public favor in the face of mounting criticism and a perceived loss of public trust.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi described the move as a “desperate measure” while MNS chief Raj Thackeray, while welcoming the decision, expressed hope that it was not a politically motivated move.

The toll booths were initially established in 2002 to recover the cost of constructing 55 flyovers in Mumbai. While the maintenance costs were recovered over a decade ago, the government continued to collect tolls, extending the collection period until 2027.

The toll waiver for light vehicles will significantly reduce revenue for the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, which was expecting around Rs 11,000 crore from the toll collection.

It remains to be seen whether the toll waiver will be a decisive factor in the upcoming elections, or if it will simply be viewed as a temporary political ploy.

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