Stop toll at Mulund for some while? MSRDC asks Govt

If the state government has its way, you may not have to pay toll at Mulund toll naka for some time. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has asked the State whether toll collection can be suspended temporarily at the toll naka on the Eastern Expressway as the Mumbra bypass is shut for repairs.

Around 5,000 cars pass through the naka every day. On May 14, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers staged a protest demanding suspension of toll as the Mumbra bypass has been shut for repairs since May 8 and motorists have to divert through the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) and pay the toll twice (once at Mulund, then at Airoli) while heading to Navi Mumbai. This causes the traffic to pile up.

"There is no provision in the agreement with the contractor to stop toll collection for a temporary period," a senior MSRDC official said, adding "But if there is such demand and toll collection is stopped, the MSRDC will have to compensate the contractor."

The MSRDC official added that the demand has been referred to the state government that will take the final decision. "We expect the state government to bear the cost of compensation to the contractor in case the toll is stopped."

"If government and agencies think waiving or stopping toll collection will solve traffic snarls, it shut all toll nakas right away and compensate contractors," said Owais Mirza, a daily commuter.

Mumbra Bypass road has been shutdown for repair works following which the traffic department has diverted vehicles towards Thane city areas and this has also resulted in traffic congestion in interiors roads of Thane and the toll naka adds the piling up of traffic.

There are five toll naka's in the city that are located at Dahisar, Mulund (LBS Marg), Mulund (Eastern Express Highway), Vashi and Airoli that act as the five entry and exit points of the city. 

According to MSRDC estimates, daily on an hourly basis around 22,000 vehicles pass via these five toll booth.  As per the agreement, toll collection at the five entry and exit points of the city will be continued till the year 2026.

Meanwhile, similarly in 2016, post the announcement of demonestisation, the Central government had directed stopping of toll collection for almost one month post which the contractors were compensated in way of extending the toll collection period or also in monetary terms in few cases.

In case of Mumbai, toll collection was also stopped at five entry points of city including Bandra-Worli Sea-Link and Mumbai-Pune Expressway. 

Toll rates

Car: Rs 35
Mini bus: Rs 55
Truck/Bus: Rs105
Heavy vehicles: Rs 135