Government Reduces Toll Rates to Make Road Travel Cheaper

Travelling on national highways is about to become more affordable. The central government has announced a major reduction in toll rates on certain stretches of highways, especially those with tunnels, bridges, flyovers, and elevated roads. This move aims to make road journeys more affordable for everyone.

What Has Changed in Toll Charges?

The government has updated the rules for calculating toll fees on national highways. Here’s what you need to know:

• Toll rates have been cut by up to 50% on specific highway sections that include expensive structures like tunnels and flyovers.
  
• The new formula for toll calculation is designed to lower the cost for travelers.
  
• Earlier, drivers had to pay a much higher toll for every kilometer of these special structures because they are costly to build and maintain.
  

How the New Toll Calculation Works

• If a highway section has structures like bridges or tunnels, the toll will now be calculated in two ways:
  
  • Ten times the length of the structure
    
  • Or five times the total length of the highway section
    
• The lower of these two numbers will be used to set the toll.
  
• For example, if a 40-kilometer stretch is made up entirely of bridges or flyovers:
  
  • The old method would charge for 400 km (10 times the structure length).
    
  • The new method charges for 200 km (5 times the total length).
    
• This change means travelers will pay much less than before.
  

Why Was This Change Needed?

• The cost of traveling on highways with many bridges, tunnels, or flyovers was very high.
  
• These structures are expensive to build, so the tolls were set higher to recover the costs.
  
• Many people found these tolls too expensive, making road travel less affordable.
  
• The new rules aim to balance the need to maintain these structures with the goal of making travel cheaper for the public.
  

Introduction of the FASTag Annual Pass

Along with the toll rate reduction, the government has also introduced a new annual pass for private vehicles using FASTag. Here’s what you should know:

• The annual pass costs Rs 3,000.
  
• It is available for private vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans.
  
• The pass is valid for one year from the date it is activated or for up to 200 trips, whichever comes first.
  
• This pass will be available starting August 15.
  

Benefits of the Annual Pass

• Makes it easier for regular travelers to budget their travel expenses.
  
• Reduces the hassle of paying tolls every time you travel.
  
• Encourages more people to use FASTag, which speeds up toll collection and reduces waiting times at toll plazas.
  

These changes by the government are a big step towards making road travel more affordable and convenient. With lower toll rates and the introduction of an annual pass, both occasional and regular travelers can save money and enjoy smoother journeys on national highways. If you travel often, keep an eye out for the new FASTag pass and take advantage of the reduced toll rates on your next trip!