Mumbai toll exemption kicks in today: Here’s how much money you can save

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday abolished toll charges for light motor vehicles, only cars and SUVs, entering Mumbai city. The move, which will be effective form midnight, is a significant move ahead of assembly elections in the state.
Shinde said the “historic decision” is a masterstroke that will save time and help reduce pollution and traffic. As a politician who hails from Thane, Shinde himself led various agitations seeking the abolition of toll charges. He claimed that these charges were unfair to people from Thane who commute to the city daily for work and other purposes.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who also holds a similar view, welcomed the state government’s decision to scrap toll charges for select category of vehicles. Parties like the Raj Thackrey-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have been protesting toll charges claiming the costs of the project have been recovered log ago.
The decision comes despite the desire of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to continue the toll to recover costs for the new Thane Creek Bridge.
Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has been collecting tolls at various checkpoints in the city, including Mulund, Airoli, Dahisar, and Mankhurd. The ₹45 toll is being levied on 55 flyovers constructed by the MSRDC during the Shiv Sena-BJP rule from 1995 to 1999.
“At the time of entry into Mumbai, there were 5 toll plazas, including Dahisar toll, Anand Nagar toll, Vaishali, Airoli and Mulund. Rs. 45 and Rs. 75 were charged at these tolls, this was in effect till 2026,” said Maharashtra minister Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse.
If you commute through these toll gates using car for work daily – you will be saving – ₹45*5 = ₹225 per week and roughly ₹11,700 every year.
Other light motor vehicles that pay ₹75 will be saving – ₹75*5 = ₹375 per week and roughly ₹19,500 every year.
(With inputs from Yogesh Naik in Mumbai)