Thane Creek Bridge Toll Continues Despite MTHL To Open This Week

The Maharashtra government has backed off on its promise to remove tolls on the Thane Creek Bridge (TCB) with the opening of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). Despite initial assurances, commuters will still be charged for using the TCB.

In a 2016 survey conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the state government agreed to remove the private vehicle toll on the existing TCB upon the inauguration of the MTHL. However, as the MTHL is set to open this week, tolls will continue.

According to the prepared survey, "it should be noted that the private vehicle toll on the existing Thane Creek Bridge will be removed at the time of opening MTHL, as this is stated government policy."

The practice of tolls in Mumbai dates back to 2002, when the Maharashtra government started charging cars entering and leaving Mumbai at five entry points. This was executed through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The five entry points were Eastern Express Highway-Mulund, Dahisar, LBS Road-Mulund, Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi.

In 2010, the toll collection rights were extended to a private company, Mumbai Entry Point Toll Ltd. (MEPL), until September 2027. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will take control of the toll plazas after the current contract expires in 2027, as per a March 2023 decision.

The state government has defended the toll collection. It says that it will get the revenue needed to fund capital-intensive infrastructure projects. With the MSRDC starting construction on a third bridge connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, it is expected to retain control over the toll-collecting rights of the Thane Creek Bridge.

To recover construction costs, the MSRDC has reportedly proposed imposing a toll on the road until 2036. The Vashi Toll Plaza is as a crucial link for commuters travelling from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai. In the fiscal year 2022-2023, over 2.35 crore cars passed through the toll plaza, with private vehicles contributing nearly INR 70 crore in tolls.