Mumbai: Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, has dismissed the state government's announcement of full toll exemption for light motor vehicles entering Mumbai as an election "jumla" (false promise). 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."
UBT Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed Wadettiwar's sentiments, labeling the decision a desperate measure ahead of elections. "With the law and order situation in Maharashtra deteriorating, they have taken a new decision. Elections are expected to be announced today or tomorrow, triggering the model code of conduct. As a last-minute desperate measure, they have removed the five tolls of Mumbai effective from midnight. This is their way of trying to cling to power," she remarked.
In contrast, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hailed the announcement as a "historic decision" that will alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution. He stated, "At the Mumbai entry point, traffic jams at the toll plaza were common. This has been a long-standing demand from the public. I am pleased that, during my tenure as CM, lakhs of light motor vehicles have been exempted from tolls. This will save time and decrease pollution."
Maharashtra Minister Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse provided further details about the toll exemption, stating that it will come into effect after midnight. The five toll plazas affected include Dahisar, Anand Nagar, Vaishali, Airoli, and Mulund, which previously charged between Rs. 45 and Rs. 75. Approximately 3.5 lakh vehicles used to travel through these tolls daily, of which 2.8 lakh were light vehicles. "The time people spent in queues will now be saved. This revolutionary decision has been in discussion for months," Bhuse said.
With assembly elections approaching, the Mahayuti alliance government is rapidly advancing proposals. Recently, the Maharashtra Cabinet increased the salaries of D.Ed. and B.Ed. teachers in Madrasas and approved an increase in the share capital of the Maulana Azad Minority Economic Development Corporation from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. Additionally, the cabinet renamed the Maharashtra State Skill Development University after industrialist Ratan Tata and passed a resolution urging the Centre to award Tata the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honor, in recognition of his achievements.
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