Ganesh Festival: Toll-free rides on major highways in Maharashtra for 15 days

MUMBAI: In what is seen as a move to avoid embarrassment over the condition of roads during Ganpati festival, the state govt on Wednesday announced toll exemption on all public works department (PWD) and Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) highways across the state from Sept 5-19. But a tad arduous process of getting the exemption has raised eyebrows.
A senior public works department official said a self-declaration proforma will have to be downloaded from the state govt's website, filled and pasted on thick, black paper.This will then have to be taped on the FasTag sticker outside the vehicle so that the RFID reader skips it. To err on the side of caution, motorists have been advised to tape black paper behind the FasTag sticker, too. Some officials acknowledged that with even these precautions, motorists could still be charged. "If a FasTag sticker gets read and the toll gets deducted, one can make a cashback request through the FasTag bank account, following which the amount will be refunded," said a senior MSRDC official.
The toll exemption directive covers all entry points of Mumbai (Vashi, Airoli, Mulund, LBS and Dahisar), barring Bandra-Worli Sea Link, NH-48 (Mumbai-Bengaluru), NH-66 (Mumbai-Goa), and other PWD and MSRDC roads. It applies to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses as well, said a govt resolution (GR) issued on Wednesday, which said the move is targeted at devotees travelling during Ganesh festival. Samruddhi Mahamarg will also implement the GR, said officials. There was no clarity on whether MTHL is covered under the directive.
Toll exemption passes will be issued to MSRTC buses with the vehicle number and driver's name. These will be coordinated by the transport department, traffic police, police and regional transport offices (RTO) and made available at police stations, traffic police checkpoints and RTO offices. The passes will also be valid for the return journey, the GR said.