No Toll Tax to Pay on These New Conditions For Short Travel Distances and Long Queue

With the ongoing expansion of highways and expressways across the nation, the burden of toll taxes has been a growing concern for motorists. However, recent updates from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) bring a glimmer of relief to commuters facing long queues at toll booths.

In a bid to ease congestion and streamline traffic flow, NHAI has introduced new conditions under which vehicles can bypass toll tax payment.

Key Points:

1. Congestion Relief Measures: NHAI has clarified that in specific situations, vehicles can pass through toll booths without paying the toll tax. If the line of vehicles extends beyond 100 meters, toll collection is temporarily waived to alleviate congestion.
2. Time Efficiency: To ensure smooth processing, the maximum time allocated for toll payment per vehicle is capped at 10 seconds. This measure aims to expedite the flow of traffic during peak hours.
3. 60-Kilometer Rule: According to guidelines set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) since 2008, there should be a minimum distance of 60 kilometers between two toll plazas on any highway. While this rule remains intact, exceptions may arise due to land constraints and traffic demands.
4. Clarifying Taxation: It’s essential to distinguish between road tax and toll tax. Road tax, collected by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), permits drivers to utilize various roads within the state. On the other hand, toll tax is specifically levied for using designated roads, predominantly highways and expressways. Notably, toll tax revenues are directed towards the entity responsible for constructing the highway or NHAI directly, rather than benefiting any specific state government.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has reiterated the government’s commitment to these measures, emphasizing the importance of balancing infrastructure development with commuter convenience.

While toll taxes remain a contentious issue, these new conditions aim to mitigate some of the challenges faced by motorists, ensuring smoother journeys on the nation’s roadways.