Maharashtra’s Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, criticized the state government’s recent announcement of full toll exemption for all light motor vehicles (LMVs) entering Mumbai, labeling it as an election ‘jumla’ intended to mislead the public. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Wadettiwar claimed, “This is an election ‘jumla’ to fool people. Around Rs 800 crore will be given out of this to benefit someone; this is the politics behind it.”
United Bharat Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed Wadettiwar’s sentiments, calling the move a desperate measure as elections loom. “Just now one more announcement has been made… After completely finishing the law and order situation in Maharashtra, they have taken a new decision. Elections are going to be announced today or the day after, and the model code of conduct will be imposed in Maharashtra. So, as a last-minute desperate measure, they have removed the five tolls of Mumbai from 12 midnight. This is how they are trying their best to stay in power,” Chaturvedi stated.
Government Defends the Decision as a Masterstroke
In contrast, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hailed the toll exemption as a “historic decision” that would alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution. He remarked, “At the Mumbai entry point, there used to be a traffic jam at the toll plaza. This was the demand of the people for the last several years. I am also happy that today, during my tenure as CM, lakhs of light motor vehicles have been exempted from toll. This will save their time, pollution will be reduced, and there will be no traffic. This is a big historic decision; this is a masterstroke.”
Maharashtra Minister Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse provided further details about the toll exemption, stating that it would take effect after midnight. “At the time of entry into Mumbai, there were five toll plazas, including Dahisar toll, Anand Nagar toll, Vaishali, Airoli, and Mulund. Rs. 45 and Rs. 75 were charged at these tolls, which were in effect until 2026. About 3.5 lakh vehicles used to travel up and down, including 70,000 heavy vehicles and 2.80 lakh light vehicles. Today, the government has decided to exempt light vehicles from toll after 12 midnight. The time that people used to spend in queues will be saved,” Bhuse added.
Government’s Rapid Proposals Amid Upcoming Elections
With assembly elections approaching, the Mahayuti alliance government has been clearing various proposals at a rapid pace. Recently, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved salary increases for D.Ed. and B.Ed. teachers in Madrasas and raised the share capital of the Maulana Azad Minority Economic Development Corporation to Rs 1,000 crores from Rs 700 crores. Additionally, the cabinet renamed the Maharashtra State Skill Development University after Ratan Tata and passed a resolution urging the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, to the veteran industrialist, who passed away in Mumbai.
