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Mamuni Das

Road Ministry formulates rules for new toll policy

New Delhi June 13 National Highways users may soon have to pay heftier toll for roads that have high construction costs due to bridges or tunnels.

Moreover, commercial vehicles will have to shell out more depending on the number of axles they sport.

So, vehicles with 3-6 axles would have to pay lower toll rates than those with seven or more axles.

Since construction of structures like bridges, road over-bridges, road under-bridges, or tunnels cost higher compared to same-level roads, the rules formulated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have suggested higher toll rates.

Currently, only the length of the road stretch is taken into account while calculating the toll, irrespective of variable construction costs.

The draft rules of the toll policy have been firmed up and now need to be vetted by the Law Ministry. Each year the rates would increase by three per cent simple interest.

All Government vehicles would no longer be exempted from paying tolls unless they belong to the President, the Vice-President and Union Ministers, among others.

Also, fire tenders, ambulances, highway inspection vehicles would not have to pay any tolls.

On a per km basis, the base fees for highways with four or more lanes would be 60 paise per km (for cars/jeeps/vans), Re 1 (light commercial vehicles/mini bus), Rs 2.10 (bus/trucks), Rs 3.25 (heavy construction machinery or vehicles with 3-6 axles or earth movers), and Rs 4 for oversized vehicles (of seven or more axles).

The rules have also defined "local traffic," which would get concessions.

Related Stories:
Truckers' federation opposes proposed toll tax on new bridge
Karnataka plans toll fee for highways

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Roadways | Taxation

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