After Gaimukh, commuters want Mulund toll plaza shut

The complete withdrawal of toll plaza at Gaimukh on Ghodbunder Road has been welcomed by the residents as well as commuters. However, they now want closure of the Mulund toll plaza because, according to them, withdrawal of just the Gaimukh toll booth is not of much help.

Shutting down toll naka was the biggest agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Lok Sabha elections and they have succeeded to a certain extent. Thane BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar, too, had promised residents that he would make Thane toll-free.

Prasun Agarwal, a regular commuter, said, "I travel to Mumbai fro work and pay at both the toll booths. The waiver at 53 plazas has not brought respite for me as I continue to pay the toll and this will continue till the Mulund toll is not shut."

Other commuters say that for more than two decades they have been paying toll at Mulund booth are are surprised to know that toll operators haven't recovered the cost. "It seems they are carrying extortion business in disguise of toll naka," said a commuter.

While political parties celebrated the closing of Gaimukh toll naka by distributing sweets, residents who use Mulund toll naka on a daily basis want it to be shut before the have the 'real' celebrations. "It is Mulund toll naka where Thane residents have to pay while entering and exiting Mumbai. Rather than Gaimukh, the authorities should have closed this toll naka. In fact, guardian minister Eknath Shinde had even filed a PIL, but nothing has happened," said Naeem Sayeed, a resident.

MLA Kelkar said, "A special committee has been set up to look into the matter and report is expected to be shared by July end, following which appropriate measures would be taken for Mulund toll booth as well as others."