Toll Fees Hike by 5% Ignites Concerns for Commuters In India

In the recent development made by the National Highways Authority Of India(NHAI), toll fee hike in India have been inflated by an average of 5%. This development came in response to accommodate the changes incurred in inflation.

However, the move has sparked considerable public outcry, prompting NHAI to defer the date of implementation from April 1st, 2024 to June 3rd, 2024. Yet, the temporary relief is not only aligned with the public scuffle but is also influenced by the schedule of the Lok Sabha elections.

Reasons Behind Toll Fees Hike

As stated by the senior NHAI official, the ‘Toll Fees hike is an annual phenomenon where there will be revised rates in alignment with the changes in the Wholesale Price Index-Based Inflation’. Considering the stats, there are around 855 use fee plazas on the National Highway Networks on which the user fee is levied under the National Highways Fee(Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.

Among all these toll plazas, there are 675 which are pubic-funded fee plazas and the rest 180 are the concessionaire-operated toll plazas. The additional revenue generated from toll fees hike is directed towards the maintenance and management of these highways, ensuring public safety and efficient infrastructure upkeep.