Dedicated Lanes for Heavy Vehicles at Dahisar Toll to Ease Traffic Transport Minister Orders
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has instructed officials to set up dedicated lanes for heavy vehicles at the Dahisar toll naka. This initiative is aimed at ensuring smoother movement, especially for vehicles exempt from toll charges, and preventing long queues that often cause significant delays on the busy highway.
Minister Sarnaik visited the Dahisar toll on Thursday to assess the situation firsthand and formulate a plan that will prioritise the clearance of heavy vehicles while giving light vehicles a more direct route. As part of his strategy, Sarnaik has ordered the toll contractors to restructure the lanes for heavy vehicles while maintaining uninterrupted passage for regular traffic. Currently, the toll system on the Mumbai-Dahisar Highway levies fees mainly on heavy vehicles. However, the presence of multiple toll lanes for these vehicles has led to slower movement, resulting in significant delays and traffic jams, especially for light vehicles. To resolve this, Sarnaik’s new directive aims to streamline traffic by reserving three lanes for heavy vehicles moving towards Mumbai and two lanes for those coming from the city. This would leave the remaining lanes open for light vehicles, allowing them to bypass the congestion and pass through the toll area much more swiftly.
To ensure the system works effectively, the Transport Minister has ordered the installation of directional boards along the highway. These boards will provide clear instructions to drivers about the dedicated lanes, helping them follow the right queue without confusion. The signs will be visible for a 500-metre stretch before the toll booths, providing ample time for drivers to align their vehicles correctly. The new initiative is a response to the significant bottlenecks that have plagued the Dahisar toll naka for months, particularly during peak hours. The heavy vehicle queues often extend far beyond the toll booths, causing delays not just for large trucks but also for passenger vehicles. According to Minister Sarnaik, the congestion has become a pressing issue for daily commuters and freight carriers alike. By clearing the lanes for light vehicles, the plan aims to eliminate one of the major causes of traffic jams at the toll plaza. Sarnaik has emphasised the importance of quick implementation, urging toll contractors to expedite the changes to avoid further disruption.
The Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) Commissioner, Sanjay Katkar, along with officers from the local traffic police and toll contractors, was present during the minister’s inspection to ensure that the changes are rolled out efficiently. The long-standing issue of congestion at the Dahisar toll has been a source of frustration for commuters, particularly those heading towards Mumbai and Gujarat. By introducing dedicated lanes for heavy vehicles, the new system will significantly reduce delays for lighter vehicles, ultimately speeding up the daily commute for thousands of people. With such measures, the state government hopes to improve overall traffic management and ease the flow of goods and passengers along one of Mumbai’s busiest highways. For the daily commuters who rely on this highway for their regular travel, the news of this decision comes as a welcomed change.
Rajesh Kumar, a commuter from Thane, said, “The traffic jams at the toll naka have been a nightmare, especially during peak hours. I am glad to hear that dedicated lanes will be set up for heavy vehicles, as it will make our daily commute faster and less stressful.” Similarly, Radhika Mehta, a resident of Borivali, shared, “The toll booth area is always clogged with large trucks, and we end up wasting so much time just waiting to get through. Having separate lanes for these trucks will definitely reduce the traffic chaos.” Minister Pratap Sarnaik’s directive to create dedicated lanes for heavy vehicles at the Dahisar toll naka represents a significant step towards improving traffic flow on one of Mumbai’s busiest highways. The move will not only ease congestion for regular commuters but also make the movement of goods more efficient. The new lanes are expected to be in place by February 10, 2025, with officials working hard to finalise the plan and ensure the smooth implementation of these traffic reforms.
