Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a complete toll waiver for light motor vehicles at all five toll booths entering Mumbai, starting from midnight. The move, made during the last cabinet meeting before the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, will eliminate toll charges at key entry points: Dahisar, Mulund, Vashi, Airoli, and Tinhat Naka, where the toll fee for smaller vehicles was previously ₹45.

This decision is expected to significantly benefit daily commuters, providing a financial reprieve for those using smaller vehicles to enter the city. The toll booths at these locations have been pivotal in Mumbai’s transportation network, managing heavy traffic daily.

Raj Thackeray, leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), praised the move, attributing it to the persistent efforts of his party, which had long campaigned for transparency in toll collection. “My Maharashtra soldiers fought hard for this demand,” Thackeray stated, recalling the protests his party had launched for accountability in toll transactions and better road conditions.

However, the decision has also drawn criticism from opposition parties. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi described the toll waiver as a “desperate measure” ahead of the state elections. She accused the Shinde-led government of trying to divert public attention from the state’s deteriorating law and order situation, following the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. In a post on X, Chaturvedi said, “This toll decision comes at the back of an impending defeat.”

The timing of the announcement, just hours before the election code of conduct comes into effect, has further fueled political debate, with critics calling it an electoral strategy to gain favor with voters ahead of the polls.