MSRDC Seeks Consultant to Oversee Mumbai-Pune Expressway Toll Operations
In an effort to improve the management of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has initiated a tender process to appoint a private consultant responsible for monitoring toll operations, maintenance, and infrastructure.
This move is aimed at ensuring better performance and compliance with operational standards on the key 94-kilometre route, which connects Mumbai and Pune, as well as the old Mumbai-Pune Highway. MSRDC’s decision to hire a private consultant comes after the expiration of the contract with the previous intermediary agency, Bloom, which had acted as an independent engineer overseeing the toll operations and infrastructure. A short-term extension was granted to the previous agency, but now the responsibility is being shifted to a new expert firm to oversee the entire operation. The selected consultant will be tasked with monitoring the performance of the current toll-operating agency, IRB, ensuring that they meet the set operational and maintenance standards.
In addition to overseeing toll collection, the consultant will also be responsible for monitoring the upkeep of local link roads, bridges, entry and exit ramps, and other associated infrastructure along the expressway. Their duties will include ensuring proper resurfacing of the bituminous road surface, updating traffic signages, and applying thermoplastic road markings. The contract for toll collection on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is valid until 2030, with IRB having secured the contract through an upfront payment. The role of the appointed consultant will be crucial in maintaining the expressway’s infrastructure quality and ensuring that the toll collection process remains smooth and efficient. This step by MSRDC underscores the importance of efficient road management and infrastructure upkeep, especially as the Mumbai-Pune corridor continues to be one of the busiest and most vital roadways in the state.
