Mumbai: On Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that all light motor vehicles will be exempt from toll fees at the five toll booths entering Mumbai. This decision was revealed during a cabinet meeting and will take effect after midnight today.
Maharashtra minister Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse explained that the tolls, which included the Dahisar, Anand Nagar, Vaishali, Airoli, and Mulund plazas, charged fees of Rs. 45 and Rs. 75, effective until 2026. Approximately 350,000 vehicles traveled these routes daily, with about 280,000 being light vehicles. Bhuse emphasized that this move will save people time spent in traffic queues and noted that discussions on this exemption have been ongoing for several months, culminating in this significant decision.
In a related context, the Maharashtra Cabinet has recently approved a salary increase for D.Ed. and B.Ed. teachers in Madrasas, raising their monthly pay from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 16,000. Additionally, secondary subject teachers holding B.A., B.Ed., or B.Sc. degrees will see their salaries rise from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 18,000.
Furthermore, the cabinet has decided to rename the Maharashtra State Skill Development University to “Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill Development University” in honor of the late industrialist Ratan Tata. They also passed a resolution requesting the Centre to award Tata the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honor, recognizing his contributions. Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Sons, passed away at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai at the age of 86, with his final rites carried out with full state honors.