 |
|
The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has made a significant announcement in the lead-up to the upcoming Assembly elections - a complete toll waiver for all light motor vehicles entering Mumbai. This decision, effective from midnight on Monday, October 14th, 2024, is expected to provide relief to commuters and potentially sway voters in the crucial Mumbai region.
The announcement, made during a Cabinet meeting, was met with mixed reactions. While commuters welcomed the move, some viewed it as a calculated political maneuver aimed at garnering support ahead of the polls. The toll waiver will impact five toll booths across the city - Dahisar, LBS Road-Mulund, Eastern Express Highway-Mulund, Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi, significantly reducing travel time and expenses for citizens.
The toll waiver decision has been met with praise from certain political parties, particularly the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by Raj Thackeray. The MNS, known for its past protests against toll booths, lauded the move as a victory for the people of Mumbai. However, the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Aaditya Thackeray has criticized the government, calling it a 'desperate measure' ahead of the election and a ploy to save the government from the public's ire.
The history of toll collection at Mumbai's toll booths is tied to the construction of numerous flyovers undertaken by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation under the leadership of former minister Nitin Gadkari. Tolls were first levied in 2002 to recoup the construction costs. While the maintenance costs were supposedly recovered a decade ago, the government continued collecting tolls. This has led to accusations of profiteering by the government, with activists maintaining that the tolls were no longer justified.
The decision to waive tolls for light motor vehicles is a significant move that could potentially impact the upcoming elections in Maharashtra. It remains to be seen whether the government's pre-election tactic will resonate with voters and translate into electoral gains. The decision also raises questions about the long-term financial implications of this move for the state government and the potential impact on future infrastructure development.
Source: No toll for cars, SUVs entering Mumbai from tonight: Eknath Shinde's big move