Toll for commercial vehicles entering and leaving Mumbai to rise from October 1
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has announced higher tolls at Mumbai's five entry points; transporters say the burden will fall on consumers.
Commercial vehicles entering and leaving Mumbai will have to pay a higher toll from October 1. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) announced this on Wednesday. The corporation said the toll for different classes of vehicles will go up once the new rates come into force.
MSRDC said mini buses and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) will now pay Rs 90 instead of Rs 75. Buses and trucks will pay Rs 180 instead of Rs 150. The toll for heavy motor vehicles will rise from Rs 190 to Rs 225.
The new rates will apply at Mumbai's five entry points: Airoli, Mulund LBS, Mulund Eastern Express Highway, Dahisar and Vashi. Private cars and SUVs are not charged toll at the entry points. Public transport buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis also do not pay toll.
According to MSRDC, owners of commercial vehicles can buy 50 or 100 toll coupons in advance. They will get discounts of 25 per cent and 50 per cent respectively on these. Journey smart cards carrying the discounts will be issued at toll plazas.
Transporters have expressed anger at the decision to raise the toll. They say it will add to their costs and that the burden will ultimately fall on consumers. According to the transporters, they will be forced to raise freight rates.
Bal Malkit Singh, adviser and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), said: "Any increase in toll directly raises the operating costs of transporters. To make up for this additional burden, transporters will have to raise freight rates, and the effect will ultimately be felt by consumers."
Singh said transporters are already struggling with rising operating costs. He demanded that the Maharashtra government extend to heavy commercial vehicles the toll concession that smaller vehicles receive.
Singh also said contractors recovered the cost of building the roads long ago. In that case, he said, there is no reason to place an additional burden on transporters.
He said: "The increase in toll will ultimately affect the prices of essential goods and add to the financial burden on the people of Mumbai."
