There is a drastic change in 2025 for the commuters who were travelling along the national highways, in India. The authorities at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have recently announced a 4-5 percent hike in the toll rates that will from April 1, 2025. This rise will apply at the toll plazas throughout the country and the commuters will be required to pay more. The government stands to state that this review has been accomplished with inflation and expenses for up keeping highways considered. But such transformation will cause one more financial pressure for the average population.
Hike In Toll Rate And New Fee Structure
In the new rules of NHAI, the toll rates have been increased by 4-5%. Such a revision will be applicable on the interstate highways such as Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway and NH-9. For instance a one way toll for a car on Delhi-Meerut Expressway is now ₹170 as against ₹165 earlier; a fee for light commercial vehicle and bus has been fixed at ₹275; for trucks, it was ₹580.
Additionnally the toll for light vehicles on Lucknow-Kanpur, Ayodhya, Rae Bareli and Barabanki routes is increased by ₹5-₹10 a trip, while the heavy vehicles toll is increased by ₹20-₹25.
Effect On Commuters And Transport Industry
As a result of this toll hike, the regular commuters shall have to pay more and thus their monthly transport costs shall be higher. In addition, the rise in toll rates charged on commercial vehicles will also result in burdening of the cost of freight hence the prices of commodities could be affected.
However, NHAI says that this additional revenue shall be utilized in the maintenance and expansion projects of highways. The government has also introduced that annual and long term toll passes may be availed in the future thus relieving travellers.
Conclusion
The new NHAI rules 2025 will make it costly for people to move in national highways thus having a direct effect on the travellers and the transport industry. Nevertheless, the government says that this increase will enhance the quality and maintenance of highways. The travellers need to budget their travel expenditure in order for them to avoid additional fees and regulate transport costs.
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