New Delhi: National Highway toll prices have been hiked by 10% to 15% from April 1. From now on, people travelling via highway will have to pay extra at toll plazas. National Highway Authority of India has hiked toll prices nationwide.
The rates have been revised for all types of vehicles travelling via national highways, as the authorities hike rates by, Rs. 10 to Rs. 60, depending on the type of the vehicle. For this, orders have been issued to all regional NHAI officials.
As per the NHAI officials, the hike has been made on the basis of the wholesale price index in accordance with the provisions of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
RP Singh, Chief General Manager of NHAI, said, “The tariff revision is a routine affair. The fees have been revised by 10% to 15% after a year and has been notified accordingly. From April 1, new rates will apply at all toll plazas.”
The rates have hiked by Rs. 10 for cars and jeeps. Buses, trucks, and other heavy vehicles will have to pay Rs. 35 to Rs. 45 and Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 more respectively. With this change in rates coming into effect, there will be a significant rise in revenue from toll collection, the officials added. The new rates are applicable for single and double trips as well as monthly passes.
this change in fee price comes on the day when West Bengal government withdrew all covid related restrictions. This upliftment made Kolkata plan road trips over weekend, and for rest of the summer. However, the toll fee revision came as a dampener along with spiralling fuel prices.
“We were planning a road trip to Santiniketan this weekend and another road trip to Puri during Poila Baisakh. But the ever rising fuel prices and now the hike in toll fees are making me think twice about the plans. I may shift to usual train travel and hire a car rather than going on a road trip,” said Mithoon Ghosh, a resident of Behala.
Truck operators have said that distribution of essential goods will be affected. “The distribution of essentials like fish, fruits, egg, pulses, oil, food grains, medicines and fertilizer will be badly hit if our interest is not taken care of,” said a truck driver.
“Many trucks have already gone off the road because of the hike in fuel price. The cost of transportation has gone up many-fold with uncertainty prevailing at loading and unloading points. The current hike in toll fees will make several truck operators stay off the road. This will ultimately lead to a rise in the price of food and essentials,” said Sajal Ghosh, joint secretary of West Bengal Truck Operators Association.
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