A major jolt has hit Maharashtra’s transport landscape as Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar publicly questioned why electric vehicle owners are still being charged tolls despite a state-backed waiver. His bold declaration that the ongoing deductions are “illegal” has sparked widespread debate and intense curiosity among EV users. With the “EV Toll Waiver on Mumbai-Pune Expressway” becoming the centre of attention, Narwekar has now given the government just eight days to fix the system. What led to this sudden urgency, and how will it impact thousands of daily commuters? Let’s dive into the full story.
The Maharashtra government had announced its new EV policy on May 23, 2025, and began implementing it from August 22, 2025. As part of this policy, EVs are exempt from tolls across major state expressways. However, discrepancies continue, with several users reporting toll deductions despite the announced waiver.
Responding to questions regarding this issue, Minister Dada Bhuse admitted that toll was indeed deducted for some EV users. Bhuse clarified that for the toll waiver to function seamlessly, EV owners must ensure their FASTag is registered with the VAHAN portal and integrated with the toll system. Although the system rollout began three months ago, technical delays have led to inconsistent implementation.
Narwekar expressed strong displeasure, stating that the policy is already active and should be honored without exception. “If even a single EV is being charged toll, then it is illegal,” he stressed. He instructed Bhuse to ensure full enforcement of the waiver within eight days and to establish a mechanism to refund toll amounts wrongly deducted from EV owners.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai also challenged the government’s claims, presenting receipts of toll deductions as recent as October 27. Narwekar supported the need for corrective action and insisted that toll operators or the government refund any amounts that were wrongly collected, provided users present valid proof.
The Speaker’s firm intervention is expected to accelerate the operational rollout of the EV toll-waiver system, reinforcing the state’s commitment to promoting clean mobility.
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