Travelling on national highways to get costlier with 4–5% toll hike

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has raised toll prices on national roads and expressways by an average of 4 to 5 per cent on highway sections nationwide, indicating that commuters will have to pay extra for their travels.

According to a senior roads ministry official, the updated toll rates for motorists on national highways nationwide came into effect on Tuesday, April 1.

Toll rate increases on all national roads and expressways are separately announced by NHAI.

The official claimed that the toll fee adjustment is part of an annual process to update the rates, which are connected to shifts in inflation based on the wholesale price index. It comes into effect on April 1 each year.

According to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, there are approximately 855 user fee plazas on the national highway network where fees are collected. Of these, 180 are toll plazas run by concessionaires, while about 675 are fee plazas funded by the government.

Commuters on major highways throughout the nation, such as the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, will be affected by the updated charges.