Toll Tax rules changed: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made significant changes to toll tax regulations, offering up to a 70 percent discount to travelers on national highways under construction. This decision will benefit the millions of people who travel on national highways daily.
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Toll Tax rules changed: The government has announced a major relief for millions of motorists traveling on national highways. People have often complained that full toll taxes are collected even during road construction, while traffic jams, dust, and inconvenience persist. Addressing this concern, the central government has made significant changes to toll tax regulations, significantly reducing the burden on travelers.
Direct Benefits During Construction
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the National Highway Fee Rules, 2008. Under this, if a two-lane national highway (including paved shoulders) is being widened to four lanes or more, motorists will not be charged the full toll tax during that period. From the start of construction until the completion of the project, travelers will only have to pay 30 percent of the prescribed toll, representing a substantial 70 percent discount.
When will the new rule come into effect?
The government has issued a notification in this regard, and this new rule has come into effect from the new year. This rule will not be limited to new projects only, but will also apply to all existing national highways where two-lane roads are being converted into four lanes or more.
Thousands of kilometers of roads will be upgraded across the country.
According to officials, approximately 25,000 to 30,000 kilometers of two-lane national highways in the country are to be upgraded to four lanes. An investment of approximately ₹10 lakh crore is being made on these projects. The government aims to increase the share of freight traffic on national highways from the current 40 percent to 80 percent.
Relief also available when converting from four lanes to six or eight lanes
The revised rules also provide a 25 percent discount on toll tax for passengers when a four-lane highway is being converted to six or eight lanes. In such cases, drivers will only have to pay 75 percent of the prescribed toll.
Another rule already in effect
It is worth noting that a rule already applies to charging only 40 percent of the toll tax after the toll road cost is fully recovered. Now, with the new changes, travelers will receive significant relief even during construction.
