Sea link toll collector cries, 'Ab bus karo'

Toll operator awaits MSRDC's nod to permit BEST buses to remedy revenue shortfall

Two-and-a-half-months after it opened, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) is only attracting an average of Rs 15 lakh a day in toll revenues, against a target of Rs 20 lakh.

The toll operator, Mumbai Entry Point Ltd (MEPL), is anxiously awaiting the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation's (MSRDC) nod for a revised toll programme submitted a month back that proposes discounts to motorists during non-peak hours and asks for BEST buses to be allowed to ply.

"The discount schemes proposals are aimed at boost ingour daily collection as we are finding it difficult to meet targets.

If the talks with BEST officials proceed satisfactorily, with their buses plying on the bridge, we would reach the Rs 20 lakh a day toll target.

But the buses can't ply till MSRDC clears our proposals," explained Jayant Mhaiskar, the managing director of MEPL.

Dilip Patel, the chairman of the BEST committee said, "Toll-related issues are entirely for the MSRDC to decide. It may take another few weeks as the Assembly elections are round the corner."

Irrespective of the toll collected by MEPL, it has to pay the MSRDC Rs 74.9 crore at the end of 52 weeks.
u00a0
On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court asked the government why BEST buses did not ply on the BWSL.
u00a0
"Why can't private vehicles be charged more for using the sea link so that BEST buses can ply free of charge?" the judges asked.

Toll Tale

Rs 15.45 lakh
The average toll collection at the BWSL per day

Rs 5,000
Monthly amount MEPL asked as toll charges for BEST busesu00a0

Rs 3,000
The amount BEST wanted to pay per bus per month