Mumbai, April 07: The toll fares of Bandra-Worli Sea Link have gone up recently, and that has left the citizens of Mumbai fuming! The rise in the toll prices has seen long queues return at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The increased toll fares have made people wait in long queues, lurching for change in their pockets.

For motorists, the toll fares were increased from Rs 60 to 70 for a single trip, and for return trips, one will have to shell out Rs 105 now, a rise from Rs 90 previously. Earlier, a motorist would have handed a Rs 100 note and would get passage quickly with a return-change of Rs. 10 note. The recent hike in fares has caused them shell out more amount, resulting in finding change at the already-crowded toll plaza.

The rush at Bandra-Worli Sea Link is quite chaotic, especially during the peak hours. There are long queues at the toll plaza which is already an existing reason to infuriate the commuters. Not only that, the recent hike in fares haven’t gone down well with them.

The long queues at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link have beefed up since the hike in fares have been announced. The fares were increased keeping the Government Resolution – that makes the fares to revise every three years – in mind.

The revision in fares would have made the return-trip fare to be Rs 103 and not Rs 105. As per a Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) official, the fare was decided to be Rs. 105, keeping the convenience of Rs 5 change in mind.

Reportedly, the commuters weren’t even aware of the rise in fares which further worsened the situation. MSRDC officials, however, have clarified that there are measures undertaken to spread the word, of the fare rise in toll prices. The official had said that ads in the newspapers were put out and certain billboards are also put up near the toll plaza.

However, the move hasn’t gone down well with the motorists. The move which was meant to benefit the commuters has backfired badly. The quest to find that 'extra' Rs 5 change is quite an issue. The long queues consume another 10-15 minutes of a motorist, which completely defeats the purpose of taking this route, which otherwise has been a respite for commuters over the years.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 07, 2018 07:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).