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Maharashtra exempts electric four-wheelers and buses from tolls on Atal Setu starting August 22, supporting EV Policy 2025 and aiming to reduce carbon emissions on major highways.
The Atal Setu, inaugurated on January last year, is the country’s longest sea bridge and a key route between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. (PTI photo)
In a significant development in the sustainable transport initiative, the Maharashtra government has announced that electric vehicles would be exempted from paying toll on the Atal Setu (formerly Mumbai Trans Harbour Link or MTHL), India’s longest sea bridge.
Starting August 22, all electric four-wheelers will be exempted from paying toll-free on this bridge. The exemption, announced by the government notification by the Urban Development Department, covers electric four-wheelers (category M1) and electric buses (categories M3 and M4), whether operated by State Transport Undertakings (STUs) or private operators.
The decision taken under provisions of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax Act, 1958, is in partial modification of an earlier notification of January 31 this year, which had levied toll on all categories of vehicles using the 21.8-km sea link and its approach roads.
In May this year, the state Home Department decided to extend toll exemption to electric cars and buses plying on the Atal Setu in public interest, and Thursday’s order operationalises the decision for the Shivaji Nagar and Gavan toll plazas.
As part of the broader EV Policy 2025, exemptions and concessions are being extended to major highways as well. State and national highways managed by the Public Works Department will offer a 50% discount for electric four-wheelers.
As per the report by Free Press Journal, the Maharashtra EV policy further aims to extend toll exemptions to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Samruddhi Expressway soon.
The EV toll exemption reflects Maharashtra’s intention to minimise carbon emissions, tackle harmful pollutants, and champion cleaner transport solutions.
Daily traffic on the Atal Setu includes 60,000 vehicles, with 34,000–40,000 specifically using Atal Setu, 22,000 on the Samruddhi Expressway, and additional thousands on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The sea bridge, inaugurated in January 2024, connects Sewri in south Mumbai with Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai. It has become a critical arterial road for passenger and commercial traffic.
(With inputs from agencies)
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
Read More