Commuters traveling on national highways and expressways will now have to pay more, as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased toll charges. The new rates have come into effect from Tuesday and apply to highway sections across the country.

A senior official from the highways ministry told PTI that toll charges have increased by 4 to 5 per cent on average. This happens every year because the toll rates are linked to inflation, which means prices go up over time. The new rates always start on April 1 as part of a regular yearly update.

The NHAI decides the toll charges separately for each highway and expressway. In India, there are about 855 toll plazas, where people have to pay fees based on the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.

Out of these, 675 toll plazas are controlled by the government, while 180 are managed by private companies.

With the new toll hike, people traveling on major roads like the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and Delhi-Jaipur Highway will have to pay more than before.

The increase in toll charges is expected to impact daily travellers, transport businesses, and logistics companies. Many people who use these highways frequently may find their travel costs rising. However, NHAI states that these toll fees are necessary for maintaining highways and building new road projects.

Regular travellers should check the revised toll rates for their routes before planning their journeys.

 

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