No decision yet on bus services on the toll road

Constructed over seven years by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the MTHL stands as the country’s longest sea bridge, designed to last a century. It features three interchanges connecting various highways and roads, projecting significant traffic growth from 39,300 passenger cars in its initial opening year to an estimated 1.03 lakh cars by 2032, as per the MMRDA’s quarterly progress report.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation is still deliberating the rollout of bus services on the MTHL bridge. Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar told The Indian Express that given its length, its usefulness for bus passengers was being looked into. The absence of bus stops along the bridge has also contributed to the uncertainty about bus services.

Similarly, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), has yet to finalise plans for introducing bus services on the MTHL bridge owing to uncertainties over toll payment.

The Maharashtra government has disclosed a toll of Rs 250 for one-way single-journey vehicles, with tolls for other vehicle types yet to be announced. The MMRDA quarterly project report from January to March 2023 proposed a toll of Rs 550 for buses.

Meanwhile, a cash-strapped BEST, which incurs toll charges at Mumbai’s entry points owing to its services in Navi Mumbai and the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation areas, wants toll-free access to the MTHL, as per sources. However, a government decision in this matter is awaited.

BEST last month paid Rs 86 lakh in tolls on Mumbai’s entry points.