Thursday, April 23, 2020

₹1.25cr toll collected from 48 plazas since April 20

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:23.04.2020

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has collected toll to the tune of ₹1.25 crore in 48 plazas -- 22 in Madurai region and 26 in Chennai region -- after resuming toll collection on April 20 The NHAI authorities predicted a gradual increase in toll collection in the coming days as the government would relax the restrictions. “The collection made on the first day was one third of the toll collection on regular days. On regular days, the toll collection will range from ₹4.25 crore to ₹5 crore,” said a NHAI official.

Meanwhile, toll fee has been increased by 3% to 5% in 26 plazas in the state as per the annual hike of user fee based on the wholesale price index as per provisions of the National Highways Fee (determination of rates and collection) Rules, 2008. It would augment the toll fee collection from Rs5 to ₹15 for various categories of vehicles.

“Though the toll fee increased in 26 toll plazas, the traffic is less. It has brought down the toll collection to ₹1.25 crore,” said the official and added that around Rs115 crore of toll collections was lost in the last 27 days due to the nationwide lockdown.

The authorities have expressed concern over truck, lorry operators, merchants’ associations’ plea to forgo the toll collections and hike of toll fee until normalcy returns. “It is a difficult time for every sector following the unprecedented situation. But, it is essential to collect toll to maintain the roads and related infrastructure and implement the pending projects,” said a senior NHAI official.

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