Toll Charges : Travel from Mumbai to Pune to become dearer from April 1
Heavy vehicles prohibited on Mumbai-Pune Expressway until April 9 due to intense heat
Pune – Mumbai Expressway toll charges are set to increase by 18% starting from April 1, 2023. The decision to increase the toll charges was announced by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which manages the expressway.
According to the announcement, the toll charges for four wheelers will increase from Rs 270 to Rs 320 for tempo from Rs 420 to Rs 495, for trucks from Rs 580 to Rs 658 and for buses from Rs797 to Rs 940. MSRDC will charge Rs 551 as a toll charge for goods vehicles including buses. The revised toll rates will be applicable at various plazas on the expressway. Same 18 per cent toll hike will be applicable for toll on old Pune-Mumbai highway.
The MSRDC has cited rising maintenance and operational costs as the reason for the toll hike. The corporation has stated that the revenue generated from the toll charges is used for the upkeep and maintenance of the expressway, which includes regular repairs, resurfacing, and other infrastructure upgrades.
However, the decision to increase the toll charges has not gone down well with some commuters and transport associations. Several commuters have expressed their displeasure over the hike, citing that it will increase their travel expenses significantly.
On the other hand, the MSRDC has defended the decision, stating that the toll charges on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway are increased as per the law.The corporation has also assured commuters that the revenue generated from the toll hike will be used judiciously for the development and upkeep of the expressway.
Vivek Velankar, of Sajag Nagrik Manch said, “ In the last three and half years there has been almost 70 per cent hike in toll charges and even after that, the authority proposed a new hike.This is nothing but an extra burden on the pocket of the common people.’’
Overall, the toll hike on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway is likely to have a significant impact on the daily commute of thousands of people travelling between the two cities. It remains to be seen how the increased toll charges will affect the overall traffic flow and whether there will be any further protests or opposition to the hike.
