Light Motor Vehicles exempted from paying toll while entering Mumbai
Maharashtra Chief Minister has announced a toll waiver for light motor vehicles entering Mumbai, effective from Tuesday. The decision, which was made during the last cabinet meeting of the current Maharashtra government ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, will exempt small vehicle users from paying tolls at five major entry points to the city.
The toll waiver will apply at the Dahisar, Mulund, Vashi, Airoli and Tinhanth Naka toll booths. Until now, light motor vehicles were charged Rs. 45/- at these points. The new rule is set to come into effect from midnight on Monday.
This decision is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters who enter Mumbai using smaller vehicles. The toll booths, located at key access points to the city, serve as a vital part of Mumbai’s road infrastructure, handling significant traffic flow each day.
While the move is being viewed as a relief for regular commuters, it also comes just ahead of the state elections, raising questions about its timing. Critics may see it as an attempt to win over urban voters, especially in the densely populated Mumbai Metropolitan Region. However, proponents argue that the decision will ease the financial burden on residents who regularly commute for work or other essential purposes.
The long-term impact of this decision on state revenue or traffic management in and around Mumbai remains to be seen.