As per a report published on Sunday, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is gearing up to raise the toll tax, potentially making travel on national highways and expressways costlier, starting from April 1.
Revision In Toll Tax
The proposed action will result in a 5-10 percent increase in the toll tax.
Thus far, the review of charges has been an annual event as dictated by the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules of 2008.
According to recent media reports, NHAI’s Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is expected to submit a proposal for revised toll rates by March 25.
Once the Ministry of Road and Transport approves the proposal, the new rates are anticipated to take effect from April 1.
As a result of the new rates, cars and light vehicles will incur an additional 5 percent charge per journey.
Simultaneously, heavy vehicles may experience a 10 percent rise in the toll tax. In 2022, the toll tax range was elevated by 10 to 15 percent.
During that period, the fees for all categories of vehicles that travel on national highways increased by Rs. 10 to Rs. 60.
Currently, the expressway collects a toll tax of Rs. 2.19 per kilometer.
How Does This Affect Monthly Pass?
Sources suggest that the monthly pass facility, which is a less expensive option available to those residing within 20 kilometers of the toll plaza, would also be affected by the toll price hike of 10 percent.
It’s worth noting that the National Roads Fee Regulations of 2008 do not provide any exemption for individuals living within a specific radius of a user fee plaza.
However, a person who owns a vehicle registered for non-commercial purposes and resides within 20 kilometers of the toll plaza may be eligible for a monthly pass at the cost of Rs. 315 per month for the fiscal year 2022-23,
allowing unlimited travel through a fee plaza under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection Regulations of 2008) as long as no service road or alternative route is available for use.
Please note that this regulation does not apply to a closed user fee collection system.
