Toll collection at Kharegaon on the Mumbai-Nashik highway is set to resume in the coming months after a gap of nearly nine years, as the Majiwada-Wadpe lane widening project being executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) nears completion, according to NHAI officials.
Background of the toll
Introduced in 1998 as part of the highway upgrade bypassing Bhiwandi, the toll was scrapped in 2017. It is now being revived alongside the expansion of the highway from four to 12 lanes by MSRDC. The stretch connects Mumbai to Nashik and links to the Samruddhi corridor at Amane, carrying heavy daily traffic, including freight and commuters from Kalyan, Dombivli, and Bhiwandi.
Current status
An NHAI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: "Most of the widening work is complete. Toll collection may begin after project completion, and construction of around 30 toll booths will be completed at Kharegaon soon."
Political opposition
The move has drawn sharp reactions from parties including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), which have demanded exemption for locals. NCP (SP) district president Manoj Pradhan warned: "Restarting toll collection will burden citizens who already pay road tax. Higher transport costs will also push up prices of essential goods. If locals are not exempted, we will shut down the toll plaza."
Possible exemptions
NHAI officials said a final decision will be taken at the ministry level but indicated that private vehicles with registered addresses within a 20-kilometer radius may be exempted. Fleet cabs, tourist buses, freight vehicles, and others are likely to be charged.
The resumption of toll collection is expected to affect daily commuters and transport operators, potentially increasing the cost of living and doing business in the region. Local political parties have vowed to resist the move if exemptions are not granted to residents.
