Toll Free roads likely in Maharashtra for cars and SUVs

Something more good to cheer about for the people owning vehicles in Thane and Navi Mumbai areas. Closely on the heel of the recent announcement of toll exemption for private vehicles at 53 tolls, Maharashtra state government is on the verge of abolishing the Thane, Airoli & vashi tolls. Which means that MH04, MH43 & MH46 vehicles will be exempted from paying tolls at these points or at any Mumbai Entry points. This is in line with the govt's poll promise of making the state toll free. The proposal if passed will bne in effect from 1st August 2015.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/repor...-toll-for-thane-navi-mumbai-motorists-2095853

@ghodlur, how do they plan it, I mean I have MH04 vehicle too which moves around more in zone Mh02 and Mh01. Does it mean if I pass through these toll booths they won't collect it.

Thats the idea and that's the funny part too. Thane and Navi Mumbai cars will be exempt from paying tolls when entering in Mumbai but no clarity on MH01/02/03/47 vehicles paying tolls at these points. Maybe the fact that Mumbai vehicles are not charged Octroi/LBT could be the deciding factor in this decision. Its wait n watch till July 31st and the suspense is sure to be more than a movie.

Present party in power was very much sure that all tolls are invalid. That's why they promised a toll free MH prior to election.
They are doing it in phased manner, just to divert attention towards their fulfilling of promise whenever they find media cornering them on some other matter.

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 17, 2015 ---

Because if they make MH toll free on one go, their this act would be forgotten in one go.

A couple of contradicting news were seen in the newspapers recently. If one remembers there was a study being done to assess if the MEPL toll could be waived off completely for smaller vehicles. The first deadline was May 2015 when the toll was waived off for 50+ tolls in April 2015. The deadline was extended to July 2015, then to October 2015 and then there was no communication in this regards. Then there was an article which appeared in DNA paper on 23rd March 2016 which talked about a decision to be taken in April 2016. Then a contradicting article appeared in Times of India today which negated the hopes of thousands of Mumbaikars for toll free commute.

DNA news article 23rd March 2016

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/repor...-april-2192840

TOI news article

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/51591331.cms


Whatever is the status, the state govt is not going to come up with a final decision for some time soon now. Guess political play has a major hand to play here.