Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar cracked the whip on toll operators Wednesday, declaring any charges on electric vehicles illegal and ordering full exemptions across major highways within eight days. EV owners hit with wrongful deductions since the policy kicked in will get refunds once they show receipts. The push covers busy stretches like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Atal Setu, fixing glitches that left green drivers footing unnecessary bills.
MLAs from both sides pointed out the mess, and Narwekar issued his ruling during Nagpur’s winter session. Even though the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025 promised waivers, Energy Minister Dada Bhuse acknowledged that tolls were collected. Atal Setu and the expressways received notifications on August 21 and August 22, respectively, however technological issues prevented FASTag systems from correctly identifying EVs.By providing proof of payment, owners who drove certain roads after the policy expired can get their money back. This move is intended to quickly resolve concerns and support the state’s green initiative in light of the growing number of EVs. For registered EVs to pass through toll booths for free, the VAHAN database must be correctly linked.
Speaker Slams Delays, Sets Eight-Day Deadline:
Rahul Narwekar didn’t hold back in the assembly, calling out the government for dragging feet on a clear policy promise. “Once the exemption is in place, collecting toll from EVs is illegal,” he stated flat out, giving authorities just eight days to sort systems and stop the practice cold. MLAs like Shankar Jagatap first raised the alarm, pointing to EV users still scanned and charged at plazas despite the rules.
Bhuse acknowledged the problems and attributed the inaccuracies to backend discrepancies between FASTag and car records. The state is currently hurrying updated standards for checks and refunds since he promised speedy remedies. There will be no more EV costs at any toll booth in the state.This is a direct attack on operators who continued to collect during the policy’s implementation; it’s not just talk. Narwekar emphasized that major routes, where traffic and complaints are heaviest, should receive full rollout first. There is a lot of pressure to provide a break before holiday surges increase traffic.
Key Highways Go Toll-Free for EVs Under 2025 Policy:
The exemptions target Maharashtra’s heaviest hitters: Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Mumbai’s Atal Setu sea link. These corridors see millions of trips yearly, and freeing EVs here slashes costs for owners while nudging more toward clean rides. Policy docs spell out 100% waivers for four-wheeled passenger EVs and buses on these paths.
Atal Setu got its nod August 21, with the expressways following a day later. Yet reports piled up of drivers dinged anyway, sparking the session showdown. Now, with speaker’s backing, plazas must flag EVs via updated tech and wave them past booths without a scan charge. Broader perks under the EV Policy 2025 stack on: no motor vehicle tax, zero registration or renewal fees for all EVs sold here. A 50% toll cut applies elsewhere on state and national highways too. These layers aim to make electric shifts cheaper and smoother statewide.
Charging Stations Ramp-Up Ties Into Toll Relief:
Narwekar went one step further and encouraged the government to increase the number of EV charging stations while the toll was being fixed. He urged for new stations and more capacity at existing ones to allay drivers’ concerns about range since registrations were rising. He recommended, “Support growing EV use by expanding infrastructure,” making a clear connection to policy objectives.
Technical toll hurdles stemmed from spotty VAHAN-FASTag syncs, but officials say patches roll out now. Refunds kick off soon via proof submissions, easing pockets hit since August. This combo of free tolls, cash back, and charger growth cements Maharashtra’s green mobility bet. The moves promise real relief for thousands, curbing operator overreach and boosting adoption. As systems align, EV drivers stand to save big on high-use routes, paving faster shift from fuel guzzlers. State eyes quicker rollout to match policy’s full punch by deadline.
