Highway authority raises toll rates by 3-5% across 1,100 plazas following elections

PTC News Desk: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) changed the toll plaza prices across numerous states the day after the votes for the 18th Lok Sabha elections were ended. The revised rates will take effect on Monday. The authority notified about the modifications to the toll plaza charges through a notification that was published in many newspapers on Sunday by India’s highway infrastructure builder. 

According to NHAI authorities, the toll plaza rates are reviewed annually, and pricing adjustments are based on variations in the wholesale price index-based inflation.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: 36 toll booths across the state increase toll fee from last midnight. In this, the toll fee increase will come into effect at Kayathar Salaipudur Toll Booth on Kayathar road near Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district.

Visuals from June 2, as toll booth… pic.twitter.com/6mZUPKYDHT

— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2024

Two months after the Election Commission of India requested that NHAI collect the higher toll plaza charges following the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, the decision was made to raise the toll plaza prices. This period is important since it coincides with the electoral process ending.

“The State Regulatory Commission may carry on with the necessary procedures for the power tariff decision. Tariff awards, however, will only be granted once the relevant state’s polling has concluded, that is, following the state’s polling date or dates. In response to a request for clarification, the ECI indicated in a statement to the Ministry of Road and Transport in April that “user fees may be seen in the context of the power tariff as mentioned in the Commission’s instruction cited above.”  

NHAI will increase toll plaza fees by three to five percent

In an interview with Reuters on Sunday, a representative of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) told us that, as of Monday, toll plaza prices at approximately 1,100 toll plazas will rise by 3% to 5%. “As the election process is over, the revision of user fee (toll) rates, which was put on hold during the elections, would become effective from June 3,” stated the official. 

Over time, the toll plaza rate increase has grown in political significance. While opposition parties criticize them for potentially burdening the average man’s pocketbook, NHAI maintains that it is essential for the expansion of their road projects. 

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