Toll for vehicles on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the first access-controlled road of the country, will increase by 18 per cent from April 1, officials of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said.
A senior MSRDC official said on Tuesday that though the toll increases by six per cent annually, it is implemented cumulatively at 18 per cent after every three years, as laid down in a government notification of August 9, 2004.
The new toll will be Rs 320 for four-wheelers like cars and jeeps instead of the current Rs 270, and Rs 495 for vehicles like mini-bus and tempos instead of the current Rs 420, another official said.
Toll for two-axle trucks will increase to Rs 685 from the current Rs 585. For buses, it will increase to Rs 940 from Rs 797. Three-axle trucks will be charged Rs 1,630 instead of Rs 1,380 and multi-axle trucks and machinery-vehicles will have to pay Rs 2,165 instead of current Rs 1,835.
Toll would remain the same till 2030 as there would not be any revision after three years in 2026, officials said.
About 95 km long, the six-lane Mumbai-Pune Expressway was fully operationalized in 2002. Toll is collected at five toll plazas, of which ones at Khalapur and Talegaon are the main ones. Around 1.5 lakh vehicles use the Expressway everyday.
Mum-Pune Expressway highlights
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a six-lane concrete, high-speed tolled expressway that connects Mumbai, the financial capital of India, with Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
Here are some of its highlights:
Length: The expressway stretches over a distance of 94.5 km (58.7 mi) and is considered one of the best highways in India.
Time-saving: It reduces the travel time between Mumbai and Pune from over four hours to just around two hours.
Scenic views: The expressway offers breathtaking views of the Western Ghats mountain range and the surrounding hills and valleys, making it a popular destination for tourists.
Safety measures: The expressway is equipped with several safety measures, including CCTV cameras, emergency call boxes, and speed limit indicators.
Tunnels: The expressway features two long tunnels, the Kamshet Tunnel and the Bhatan Tunnel, which are engineering marvels.
Ample facilities: The expressway has several amenities such as petrol pumps, food courts, rest areas, and washrooms at regular intervals.
Green initiatives: The expressway has several green initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, solar-powered streetlights, and green cover along the road.
Overall, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is an excellent example of modern infrastructure development in India, offering a safe, convenient, and comfortable way to travel between two of the most important cities in the country.
