National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has rejected the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s (MSRDC) proposal to shift the Dahisar toll plaza closer to the Versova Bridge. The decision effectively stalls a plan aimed at easing vehicular movement along the heavily burdened Dahisar stretch of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway.
The state government had earlier endorsed the relocation as part of a broader effort to streamline traffic and support the city’s expanding transport infrastructure. The proposed shift, approximately two kilometres northward from its current location, was expected to ease bottlenecks caused by daily commuter inflow and facilitate smoother connectivity for upcoming metro operations and nearby residential zones. However, NHAI officials stated that the relocation plan did not comply with central regulations governing the collection and determination of tolls on national highways. The authority’s Mumbai division formally communicated its decision to the MSRDC, noting that the proposed site fell outside approved highway operational parameters and lacked requisite legal justification.
The move comes amid growing frustration among motorists and local residents who have long cited the Dahisar toll naka as a persistent traffic choke point. The location witnesses heavy congestion, particularly during peak hours, owing to its proximity to residential zones, commercial hubs, and the approaching Metro Line 9 corridor. Once operational, the metro line is expected to further intensify vehicular load in the vicinity, compounding the congestion challenge. City planning experts have pointed out that the refusal underscores a critical need for inter-agency coordination between central and state bodies managing urban transport infrastructure. They note that the fragmented decision-making process often delays mobility solutions for Mumbai, one of India’s most traffic-congested cities.
An MSRDC official acknowledged that the proposal had been submitted following directives from senior state leadership, who had identified the Dahisar bottleneck as a priority concern. The official added that the corporation may explore alternative solutions, such as traffic signal synchronisation, grade-separated access lanes, or a revised toll layout that reduces queueing time without physically shifting the toll booth. Urban mobility experts argue that resolving such issues requires not merely structural interventions but a holistic traffic management framework that prioritises public transport efficiency, digital tolling, and eco-friendly commuting. They emphasise that reducing on-ground congestion directly contributes to lowering vehicular emissions and aligns with Mumbai’s broader sustainable mobility goals.
For now, with NHAI’s rejection, the proposal to relocate the toll plaza stands indefinitely stalled — leaving commuters to endure the familiar gridlock at Dahisar while authorities deliberate on the next course of action.
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