Although the demand for toll exemption has picked up in the wake of the MNS agitation, there is no possibility of toll exemption for vehicles in Mumbai after 2027. Because after the collection contract ends in 2027, the toll collection will be done through 'MMRDA' at the entrances of Mumbai.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) contract for toll collection at the Mumbai entrance is set to expire in 2027. After that, toll collection will be done by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). After September 2027, the state government has given the authority to 'MMRDA' to collect tolls. So vehicles coming and going in Mumbai have to pay a toll.
In order to strengthen the transport system in Mumbai, MMRDA is implementing projects worth INR 1,19,764.09. This fund is being raised in the form of loans, while sale of plots in BKC is the only source of income of MMRDA and it is not enough. Currently, the financial condition of this authority is not in good state. In this background, the MMRDA had demanded from the state government that they should be given the right to collect toll from the vehicles coming to Mumbai. In March 2023, the state government gave green light to this proposal.
The MSRDC constructed 55 flyovers during 1995-98 to improve the transport system in Mumbai. MSRDC acquired toll collection powers to recover the cost of their construction. MSRDC has toll collection powers till September 30, 2027, as per the reports by Loksatta. After that, the vehicles coming and going to Mumbai would get toll exemption. However, after September 2027, MMRDA will collect toll at all five toll booths namely Vashi, Airoli, LBS Marg, Mulund and Dahisar. It is not yet clear how many years this toll collection will continue. But toll collection will be done from MMRDA for many years to come. So the vehicle drivers have to pay a toll to enter and exit from Mumbai.
For financial ailing authority
The financial condition of MMRDA, which is implementing many infrastructure projects in Mumbai, is dire today. The time has come for the authority to raise loans for projects. Therefore, MMRDA had requested the state government to give the authority to collect toll from the vehicles coming to Mumbai. With the approval of the state government, after September 30, 2027, the MMRDA will collect toll at all the five toll booths namely Vashi, Airoli, LBS Marg, Mulund and Dahisar.
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