Mumbai : In a significant move aimed at easing traffic congestion, the Maharashtra government has announced the relocation of the Dahisar Toll Plaza, a long-standing bottleneck at Mumbai’s entry point near Mira-Bhayandar.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed that the toll plaza will be shifted two kilometers ahead, near the nursery in front of the Versova bridge, before Diwali. The decision was finalized during a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The shift is expected to benefit nearly 15 lakh residents of Mira-Bhayandar, as well as thousands of daily commuters and Mumbai-bound travelers who often face delays of 30 to 60 minutes at the current toll plaza. The move will also help reduce fuel wastage and air pollution caused by prolonged traffic jams.
Under Shinde’s earlier tenure as Chief Minister, several toll plazas were scrapped and small vehicles were granted exemptions. However, the Dahisar plaza continued to remain a pain point for motorists.
As per directives from the Deputy CM, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will prepare a proposal for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which will then forward it to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for final approval. The entire process is expected to be completed within one to one-and-a-half months.
The meeting was attended by Dahisar MLA Prakash Surve, MSRDC Deputy Managing Director Manoj Jindal, NHAI representative Suhas Chitnis, Vasai-Virar Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik, IRB contractor Virendra Mhaiskar, and other senior officials.
Calling it a “Diwali gift,” Minister Sarnaik said the relocation will ensure toll-free access for Mira-Bhayandar citizens within city limits and smoother connectivity to Mumbai.
