Mumbai: The Maharashtra cabinet of Monday surpirsed Mumbaikars by its decision to waive off tolls for all light motor vehicles entering Mumbai from all five entry points from 12 am tonight. As the commuters are taking a sign of relief with this announcement, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has welcomed cabinet’s decision and said that the long-standing demand has been finally fulfilled. Raj Thackeray has been demanding a toll-free Mumbai from 2013.
"After a long fight, Mumbaikars will finally get relief now. I hope this decision is permanent and the new government does not resume toll collection after the elections," Raj Thackeray said, a reporter a Marathi news channel. Raj Thackeray has been raising the issue of toll collection in Mumbai for several years, highlighting the increasing costs. The MNS workers too at several incidents created uproar at the toll plazas.
A Big Thank You to CM Shri Eknath Shinde ji , DCM Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji
All light vehicles entering and exiting Mumbai*will not be required to pay toll at all 5 entry points (Mulund,Dahisar,Anand Nagar,Vashi and Airoli) from midnight today)#Toll_Free_Mumbai— Brijesh Prajapati (@birju2021ind) October 14, 2024
"This is a victory of our MNS workers across Maharashtra, who have fought on ground to stop toll collection, many of them have cases registered against them and some have been to jail. They fought for people and I congratulate them. I Congratulate Thanekars, who have paid Rs 45 each to travel reach side for last 25 years," said MNS leader Avinash Jadhav.
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free From Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
Mumbaikars historic decision for us in todays cabinet all 5 toll plazas at entrance of #Mumbai cancelled. We dont have to pay toll while entering or exiting Mumbai. #DhanyawadDevendraji a big thankyou on behalf of Mumbaikars to Mahayuti Government. This will also solve the… pic.twitter.com/NL8tqWGHPT
— Mihir Kotecha (Modi Ka Parivar) (@mihirkotecha) October 14, 2024
Ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections, the toll waiver is another major decision taken by the Mahayuti government too impress the voters. Toll waiver has been the longstanding demand of Mumbaikars. The five tolls at the Mumbai entry points where no toll will be collected from tonight are- Mulund-Eastern Expressway, Mulund LBS Road, Dahisar, Airoli, and Vashi.
Welcoming the decision, Minister Dada Bhuse said, "It is a big relief to Mumbaikars. Toll of Rs 45 and Rs 75 was been collected. The deadline to pay the toll was up to 2026 and was likely to be extended. The decision has benefited 2 lakh 80,000 vehicles. The government has taken into considering the financial load the toll waiver will bring while making this schedule."
Toll free entry into Mumbai given in "last cabinet meeting" before polls.
86 similar measures were passed on Thursday’s cabinet, also announced as the final one before EC announced election.
The Maharashtra government is cosplaying Santa before Christmas— Anish Gawande • अनीश गवांदे (@anishgawande) October 14, 2024
Speaking with the media, Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said, "Considering the integrated road development plan, the toll waiver for light vehicles is a welcoming decision."