Big change on National Highways, toll rates cut by up to 50%, travel on tunnels and flyovers will be cheaper.

Toll Tax: The government has changed the rules for toll calculation on national highways and has reduced the toll rates on structures like tunnels, flyovers, and elevated roads by up to 50%. This will provide direct relief to the passengers in travel and reduce the cost.

Toll Tax: There is some relief news for millions of passengers traveling on national highways across the country. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has made a big change in the rules for toll collection on national highways. Now, on highway sections where there will be structures like tunnels, bridges, flyovers, or elevated roads, up to 50% less toll will be charged.

What does the new formula say?

The ministry has issued a new calculation formula amending the National Highway Fee Rules, 2008 (NH Fee Rules 2008). The new calculation will be as follows.

“If a highway section consists of only structures (such as flyovers, bridges or tunnels), then the toll will be determined based on either ten times the length of the structure or five times the length of the entire road, whichever is less.”

For example, suppose the total length of a national highway section is 40 km and the entire section is made up of a structure such as a tunnel or flyover. As per the earlier rules, the toll on this was calculated by taking ten times the length of the structure, i.e., 10 x 40 = 400 km.

But under the new rules, two options are now compared. One, ten times the length of the structure (400 km), and the other, five times the length of the entire section (5 x 40 = 200 km). Whichever is less, the toll will be determined based on that. In this example, 200 km is less, so now the toll will be charged only at the rate of 200 km, which will provide direct relief of about 50% to commuters.

Why were the old rules made?

Till now the toll rates were high because the construction cost of structural projects like tunnels, bridges or flyovers was much higher than that of normal roads. For this reason, the government used to charge ten times the toll fee per kilometer, so that the construction cost could be recovered. This entire system worked on a cost-recovery based policy. But now the government has considered it necessary to change this policy with the aim of giving relief to the consumers and making travel more convenient and affordable.

What did the NHAI official say?

A senior official of the National Highway Authority (NHAI) said, "This decision is going to directly benefit the public. Earlier, more toll was charged considering the construction cost of structures, now equality and relief have been given priority."

What will be considered 'structure'?

A clear definition of 'Structure' has been given in the new rule.

Independent Bridge

Tunnel

Flyover

Elevated Highway If any of the above is present in the highway section, then the new rule will be applicable.

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