Page 7 - Eastern Express News Today

Mumbai, Thane motorists using the Mumbai-Nashik highway can heave a sigh of relief as the two lanes on the Nashik bound Saket bridge have been thrown

The BMC is paying for the upkeep of Western and Eastern Express Highways now and this money is coming from the taxes you and I pay to the BMC. Additionally, we are also still being forced to pay toll to the MSRDC, writes Aaditya Thackeray

Former minister writes to civic chief, demands scrapping of tolls and equitable ad revenue for Western and Eastern Express Highways

In a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said that since the stretches were not being maintained, scrapping the toll charges will at least provide some relief to Mumbaikars.

It is pertinent to note that from this year onwards, the BMC has also taken over the responsibility of maintaining the Western and Eastern Express highways, which become filled with potholes during monsoon.

Iqbal Singh Chahal, the municipal commissioner and state-appointed administrator, who inspected the rain situation in Mumbai, told The Indian Express that the intense rain was coupled with high-tide, preventing the accumulated rain water from draining out.

During the peak evening hours, heavy traffic was reported on the northbound direction of Western Express Highway from Vile Parle to Kandivali, on the P D’Mello road in CST and also on the Eastern Express Highway between Dadar and Ghatkopar.

Data furnished by the IMD showed that several talukas of Palghar, Raigad and Thane recorded over 100 mm of rainfall in 24 hours ending 6 pm on Wednesday. While Dapoli received the maximum showers at 247 mm, Uran received 174 mm of rains followed by Palghar which recorded 160 mm.

During the peak evening hours, heavy traffic was reported on the northbound direction of Western Express Highway from Vile Parle to Kandivali, on the P D’Mello road in CST and also on the Eastern Express Highway between Dadar and Ghatkopar.

"You could almost say that where the Orient Express ends, the Eastern Express begins," writes a seasoned traveler who rode the overnight train for 814 miles this past spring.