Bandra-Worli sealink toll to be hiked from next year
Bandra-Worli Sealink. Picture Courtesy: Bombay Jules Blog
Despite being the highest tolled road in the country, motorists might have to shell out even more to travel on the Bandra-Worli sealink from next year.
The toll, which stands at Rs 60 for cars for a one way trip and Rs 90 for a return trip, is expected to rise by 10 percent. The cost of the monthly pass, which costs Rs 3,000 currently, will also be hiked.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) had appointed Mumbai Entry Point Limited (MEPL), who was the sole bidder, for toll collection and maintenance of the sealink in 2014.
The joint managing director of MSRDC, Kiran Kurundkar confirmed the 10 percent increase from next year.
“We are yet to calculate the amount to be levied on tolls, but an increase of 10 per cent can be expected. The contract for MEPL would end in February 2017. Following this, fresh bids would be floated to appoint contractors for toll collection and maintenance of the sealink. This process will be carried out in March 2017. We can start collecting the new toll amount from the new financial year in April,” said Samir Gulati from MSRDC’s finance department told a leading daily.
Other than monthly passes, the MSRDC also launched online recharge facility for motorists, which allows ETC lane users to re-charge passes via online wallets like PayTM.
According to Kurundkar, over one lakh motorists are currently using the ETC tag facility and the number is expected to go up in future.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 1,634 crore, the Bandra-Worli sealink is regarded as the highest tolled road in the country, charging Rs 10 per km.
