Motorists driving through Mulund and Airoli to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, have been exempted from toll till September 23. This is to shorten the serpentine queues at these three toll nakas — Mulund and Airoli — reaching alarming proportions due to Mumbra bypass repairs. The decision has been welcomed by Thanekars who have to pay toll every day to commute via Mulund and Airoli.
Driving through Mulund and Airoli proved costly for daily commuters who have to pay toll at Anandnagar toll naka in Mulund and Airoli toll naka. Apart from a few precious bucks, they had to spend a good 15 to 20 minutes at these toll booths during peak hours waiting for their turns.
The situation has particularly worsened since May when Mumbra bypass shut down for repairs and traffic was diverted through Thane, Airoli. The queues at these toll nakas lengthened with heavy vehicles plying through them during daytime. While it has been estimated that Mumbra bypass will reopen by September, the current situation is quite grim for motorists.
To ease the current traffic mess spiraling on Thane roads, the state government announced that light vehicles plying through Mulund and Airoli do not have to pay any toll from August 21 to September 21.
"We will not collect any toll from small cars in the said period till Mumbra bypass reopens," confirmed Jayant Mhaiskar, chairman and managing director, MEP infra, toll operator at these three toll nakas.
Though a temporary relief, Thanekars have welcomed this decision. "We appreciate that the government has tried to make our lives easier by removing toll," says Shiv Kumar Unnava, a resident of Ghodbunder Road, Thane.
Another resident, Rene Varghese who commutes to Mumbai daily by car is quite happy with this temporary measure. "This is a big relief for commuters like us who are already reeling under heavy traffic due to Mumbra bypass closure and potholes," he says.
Residents also want the government to permanently do away with tolls as promised during elections. "Thane is a part of greater Mumbai. We share the same STD code i.e. 022. So why should we pay toll for traveling in our own jurisdiction," asks Unnava.
BACKGROUND
- The decision was taken after PWD minister Chandrakant Patil spoke to Minister for PWD (MSRDC) Eknath Shinde over phone on this issue
- BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe who hails from Thane had demanded toll waiver till Ganesh Festival
- Though a temporary relief, Thanekars have welcomed this decision who are reeling under heavy traffic snarls
- Residents also want the government to permanently do away with tolls as promised during elections
