MSRDC plans 2 tolls to fund projects

Even before the construction work for the 11-km tunnel to connect Borivali with Thane and the 4.4-km Ghodbunder elevated road could start, the cash-strapped Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has already planned heavy tolls for these two major infrastructure projects coming up in the northern suburbs.

“Cars will have to pay around Rs 250 to Rs 300 as one-way toll for the six lane Borivali-Thane underground tunnel,” said P.S. Mandpe, chief engineer, MSRDC.

“The toll will be increased every year and the exact percentage of the increase can be calculated after we have the Detailed Project Report (DPR) in hand,” he added.

Currently, the distance between Borivali and Thane using the Ghodbunder road is 23 km and it takes vehicles almost an hour to reach the other side. Once the tunnel is constructed, it will decongest the traffic at Ghodbunder road and also the distance will be shortened by 12 km and cut the travel time to 10 minutes. “We are evaluating the bids of the consultants for both the projects and they will be awarded the work soon. However, MSRDC needs Rs 3,500 crore and to make such world-class projects we need funds and construction cost of the projects can only be recovered by charging tolls,” added Mr Mandpe.

For heavy vehicles, the toll amount on the tunnel is expected to be around Rs 500. MSRDC also plans to levy toll on the 4.4-km Ghodbunder elevated road. In order to decongest the ghat section of Ghodbunder road and considering 67,000 PCUs (Passenger Car Units) using the Ghodbunder road, MSRDC plans to construct an elevated road on the existing road.

MSRDC officials said tolls for Ghodbunder will be relatively lower than that for the tunnel. However, only smaller vehicles will be allowed to use the elevated road. The final amount of toll will be decided after the DPRs are in our hand.

“We have to start off these projects and it was the BJP-led government that gave a push for the same. However, funds are an issue. We are expecting the state government to give the body a relief by allocating maximum funds in the upcoming Assembly session for the infrastructure projects worth Rs 40,000 crore that has been lined up,” said a senior MSRDC official.