Maharashtra Government Faces Mixed Reactions Over Toll Waiver in Mumbai

The Maharashtra government’s decision to waive tolls for light motor vehicles at all five major toll booths in Mumbai has sparked mixed reactions from various quarters. While the move has been welcomed by commuters, concerns have arisen regarding how the state plans to compensate toll companies, and there are increasing demands for similar waivers in other cities.

According to State Minister Dadaji Bhuse, approximately 280,000 light vehicles traverse the toll booths at key entry points in Mulund, Dahisar, and Mankhurd daily. “It is a revolutionary decision. The toll contract was set to expire in 2026 and could have been extended further,” Bhuse remarked, yet he refrained from detailing how the government will address compensation for toll operators.

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recently voiced his criticism of what he deemed a “political trend” of offering pre-election freebies, cautioning that such actions might exhaust state finances. Despite these warnings, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, supported the toll waiver, emphasizing its benefits in terms of reduced congestion and pollution.

In recent months, the state government has announced several financial support schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides ₹1,500 monthly to underprivileged women, and similar initiatives aimed at elderly and young citizens, raising concerns over fiscal sustainability.

Critics, like Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, have described the toll waiver as a “scam,” alleging that it will cost the government in compensation to toll companies, with claims that a portion of these funds could end up as electoral resources for ruling parties. Raut’s comments reflect broader suspicions about the timing and implications of such policies ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The decision came during what is understood to be the final meeting of the Mahayuti cabinet before the enforcement of the electoral code of conduct for the impending assembly elections in November. It has been highlighted that a committee led by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik will address compensation issues concerning the Maharashtra State Roads Development Corporation (MSRDC), tasked with infrastructure projects.