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This is an archive article published on January 10, 2024

State reconsiders decision to scrap Vashi toll once MTHL opens

In 2022-23 over 2.35 crore vehicles crossed the Vashi toll plaza, of which 1.68 crore were private vehicles that shelled out close to Rs 70 crore in tolls.

Mumbai Trans Harbour Sealink, MTHL construction, Eknath Shinde, Narendra Modi, Mumbai Sealink innauguration, Indias longest sea bridge, mumbai news, indian express newsMTHL will connect Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle on NH-4B in Navi Mumbai and will further connect to Mumbai-Pune Express Highway via a separate project. (Express File Photo)

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), once functional, was expected to ease the toll burden of commuters who had to shell out money while using the Vashi toll booth while leaving and entering Mumbai. The Maharashtra Government which had given an assurance to scrap tolls on the Thane Creek Bridge (TCB) once the MTHL is open to the public has however gone back on its word and will continue to levy tolls on commuters using the TCB.

In a preparatory survey that had been conducted by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2016, the state government was said to have assured it will remove the toll on private vehicles on the existing TCB.

“It should be noted that at the time of opening MTHL, the private vehicle toll on the existing Thane creek bridge will be removed as this is stated government policy,” the preparatory survey stated.

However with the MTHL set to be open for public use this week, the state government will go ahead with tolls along this stretch.

The Maharashtra Government, through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, had in 2002 decided to levy a toll on vehicles entering an exiting Mumbai through the five entry points of Dahisar, LBS Road-Mulund, Eastern Express Highway-Mulund, Airoli Creek Bridge and Vashi.

The said contract was extended in 2010 with a private entity, Mumbai Entry Point Toll Ltd (MEPL), getting toll collection rights till September 2027. In March 2023, the Maharashtra Government in decided that Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will now be given the rights to collect tolls on these toll plazas once the exisiting contract expires in 2027. The reasoning behind collecting tolls was that it will be a source of revenue necessary to fund capital intensive infrastructure projects being taken up in Mumbai by the state government.

State reconsiders decision to scrap Vashi toll once MTHL opens

The MSRDC is expected to retain control of toll collection rights of the Thane Creek Bridge as it recently started constructing a third bridge connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. Work on the project is expected to be completed this year and the MSRDC has proposed a toll on the road till 2036 to recover the cost of construction.

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The Vashi Toll Plaza is an important connector used by commuters seeking to to travel between Navi Mumbai and Mumbai. In 2022-23 over 2.35 crore vehicles crossed the toll plaza, of which 1.68 crore were private vehicles that shelled out close to Rs 70 crore in tolls.

The Thane Creek Bridge 3, or TCB-3, comprises two separate three-laned bridges, each 1.8 kms in length, being built across Thane Creek channel connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. This is an expansion of the existing two bridges known as TCB1 and TCB2 to provide seamless travel to motorists between the two cities.

The first two-lane bridge over the Thane Creek bridge was built in 1973 to connect the city and Navi Mumbai and was named as Thane Creek Bridge-1. This bridge, however, fell into disrepair within a few years forcing the state to construct Thane Creek Bridge 2 (TCB-2) — two separate two-laned bridges — in 1987, opened to public in 1997.

By 2010-2011, due to massive urbanisation in Navi Mumbai, the number of commuters plying between the two cities started to increase, rendering the existing bridges inadequate.

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Interesingly the MMRDA-JICA report had stated that some upcoming infrastructure projects being planned by the government will impact the performance and hence the attractiveness of MTHL. One of these projects that the report named was the widening of the TCB, which has now been taken up by the MSRDC.

State officials claimed that it was important to expand infrastructure capabilities of Mumbai in view of the increasing population and people would have to pay a premium for access to world class infrastructure.

“The right to remove tolls from any stretch rests with the state government. In view of the capital intensive projects being taken up across the state and cities like Mumbai, it has become imperative that we implement road tolls, a source of revenue, which is ploughed back into infrastructure development,” a senior Public Works Department official said.

Calls to Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation VC and MD Anilkumar Gaikwad did not evoke any response.

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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