Toll Fees on Expressways Reduced from Today, Government Amends Rules 

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Toll Fees on Expressways Reduced from Today, Government Amends Rules 

Toll Tax: A network of expressways is being constructed throughout the country to save time, fuel, and money when traveling between cities. However, one aspect that often frustrates expressway users is the toll tax. These roads generally impose a fee that is 25 percent higher than highway tolls for the same distance. Fortunately, the government has announced a change in regulations, and starting February 15th, expressways will implement a reduced fee.

The government has revised the National Highway Fee Rules to lower toll charges for users of partially operational national expressways. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that the updated rules will take effect from February 15. The government has issued notifications regarding amendments to the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, according to the statement.

What types of roads will be exempted?

The ministry indicated that under this new scheme, if a national expressway is not fully operational from beginning to end, only the completed section will incur a toll at a reduced rate, similar to the standard national highway. Currently, the user fee on national expressways is 25 percent higher than the standard national highway user fee for the entire distance, as they offer a quicker and more seamless travel experience.

What were the rules until now?

The Ministry clarified that previously, even if the expressway was not fully operational from start to finish, the full toll was applied to the completed section. This fee was 25 percent higher than that of the highway. With the new provision, if a national expressway is not fully operational from start to finish, only the completed section will be charged a lower toll rate compared to the standard national highway rate, in accordance with the National Highway Fee (Determination and Collection) Rules, 2008.

Many incomplete expressways

are under construction in various parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, and some sections have been opened to traffic even before they are fully completed. Complaints of toll collection for incomplete projects have been received on several expressways, including NH-46 in Madhya Pradesh. Following these complaints, the Ministry of Highways has decided to impose toll fees on under-construction expressways.

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