NHAI to implement fare hikes ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 150 per trip at 25 toll plazas across Tamil Nadu's National Highways starting September 1. The annual revision affects various vehicle types and is based on the wholesale price index.
Coimbatore: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced an increase in toll fees at 25 plazas across Tamil Nadu's National Highways, effective from September 1. The fare hike, ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 150 per trip depending on the vehicle type, is part of the annual revision based on the wholesale price index.
NHAI officials stated that the fee hike is implemented annually as per the concessionaire agreement, in accordance with the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The revision will affect 25 out of the 67 functional toll plazas in the state, with the remaining plazas undergoing fee revisions on April 1.
Sources from NHAI indicated that the increase would be nominal, varying from five to seven percent across all vehicle classes at the affected toll plazas. However, this hike has raised concerns among traders, with one Koyambedu trader expressing worry about the potential increase in freight charges for transporting essential goods like vegetables, fruits, and other commodities to Chennai.
The toll plazas in Tamil Nadu collected Rs 4,221 crore in 2023-24, marking a 10% increase from the previous year's collection of Rs 3,817 crore. Tamil Nadu ranks fifth among states in toll charge collection, with Uttar Pradesh leading at Rs 6,961 crore.
Among the toll plazas in Tamil Nadu, the L&T Krishnagiri Thopur toll plaza recorded the highest collection at Rs 269 crore, followed by the Krishnagiri toll plaza at Rs 257 crore.
The toll fee increase comes amid political promises made during the recent Lok Sabha polls. Major political parties in the state, including DMK, AIADMK, Left parties, Naam Tamilar, PMK, and VCK, pledged to close down toll plazas on National Highways in their election manifestoes. The BJP was a notable exception to this promise.
Some of the toll plazas affected by the upcoming fare hike include Vikravandi Toll Plaza, Morattandi Toll Plaza, Omallur Toll Plaza, Samayapuram Toll Plaza, and Krishnagiri Toll Plaza.
NHAI officials stated that the fee hike is implemented annually as per the concessionaire agreement, in accordance with the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The revision will affect 25 out of the 67 functional toll plazas in the state, with the remaining plazas undergoing fee revisions on April 1.
Sources from NHAI indicated that the increase would be nominal, varying from five to seven percent across all vehicle classes at the affected toll plazas. However, this hike has raised concerns among traders, with one Koyambedu trader expressing worry about the potential increase in freight charges for transporting essential goods like vegetables, fruits, and other commodities to Chennai.
The toll plazas in Tamil Nadu collected Rs 4,221 crore in 2023-24, marking a 10% increase from the previous year's collection of Rs 3,817 crore. Tamil Nadu ranks fifth among states in toll charge collection, with Uttar Pradesh leading at Rs 6,961 crore.
Among the toll plazas in Tamil Nadu, the L&T Krishnagiri Thopur toll plaza recorded the highest collection at Rs 269 crore, followed by the Krishnagiri toll plaza at Rs 257 crore.
The toll fee increase comes amid political promises made during the recent Lok Sabha polls. Major political parties in the state, including DMK, AIADMK, Left parties, Naam Tamilar, PMK, and VCK, pledged to close down toll plazas on National Highways in their election manifestoes. The BJP was a notable exception to this promise.
Some of the toll plazas affected by the upcoming fare hike include Vikravandi Toll Plaza, Morattandi Toll Plaza, Omallur Toll Plaza, Samayapuram Toll Plaza, and Krishnagiri Toll Plaza.