Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that light motor vehicles will be exempt from toll fees at five Mumbai toll booths starting midnight, October 15. This decision aims to benefit over 600,000 daily commuters, particularly light vehicles. The toll exemption is expected to enhance the real estate market in suburbs like Thane, Airoli, and Vashi, making them more attractive to homebuyers.
In a major development ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that light motor vehicles will be exempt from toll fees at five toll booths in Mumbai starting midnight, October 15. This decision is expected to benefit over 600,000 vehicles that pass through Mumbai daily, with 80% being light motor vehicles like cars, vans, and small trucks.
The five affected toll booths include Dahisar, LBS Road-Mulund, Eastern Express Highway-Mulund, Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi. Commuters have long complained about lengthy wait times at these booths, and this initiative should alleviate their travel difficulties, particularly as Diwali approaches.
This toll exemption is likely to enhance the real estate market in suburbs such as Thane, Airoli, and Vashi by making travel to and from these areas more convenient and affordable, increasing their attractiveness to potential homebuyers. Given the ongoing festive season, developers can anticipate increased interest in their projects across Thane, Airoli, Vashi, and surrounding areas.
Thane, in particular, has been rapidly evolving from a suburban area to a self-sufficient city within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The toll waiver will improve travel times and accessibility, making these suburbs more appealing to prospective residents. Overall, the toll exemption is a favorable development for Thane and its neighboring regions, likely boosting their real estate markets and enhancing their desirability as places to live and invest.
Activists have noted that the maintenance costs for these toll booths were recouped a decade ago, yet the government continued to collect tolls. In fact, the Maharashtra government had extended the toll tax recovery period until 2027, aiming to collect approximately INR 11,000 crore.
In conclusion, the toll exemption for light motor vehicles in Mumbai is a significant move that could enhance commuter convenience and stimulate the real estate market in surrounding suburbs. While it promises immediate benefits, skepticism remains regarding its timing and intent as a pre-election tactic. Ultimately, the true impact on both voter sentiment and long-term real estate trends will become clearer as the election unfolds and as residents assess the lasting effects of this policy change.
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