Big shock after elections, travelling on highways has become more expensive, toll tax increased from today

Voting for all the phases of Lok Sabha elections has ended and now tomorrow is the day of results. On one hand, while the country is eagerly waiting for the election results, on the other hand, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has given a big shock to the public. Toll tax has been increased across the country.

How much did the toll tax increase
NHAI has increased toll tax across the country. Due to which, from today, drivers will have to pay 5 percent more tax at all toll plazas. According to the information, under the annual review, the highway user fee was to be implemented from April 1, but due to the Lok Sabha elections, this increase was postponed.

A senior NHAI official said the new rates will be applicable from June 3, 2024, i.e. the new toll tax has come into effect from today. He said revising the toll fee is part of the annual process linked to changes in inflation based on the wholesale price index. He said there are about 855 user fee based plazas on the national highway network, at which user fee is collected as per the National Highway Tax Rules 2008. About 675 of them are publicly funded and 180 are operated by concessionaires.

An increase of 3 to 5 per cent
According to news agency Reuters, according to an NHAI official, a 3 to 5 percent increase in toll tax has been implemented from Monday, June 3. Revision of toll rates was avoided during the elections. But now the election process is over. Therefore, these rates will be applicable from June 3.

It is worth mentioning here that toll tax is a tax that motorists have to pay while passing through certain interstate expressways, national and state highways. They come under the NHAI, although two-wheelers are exempted. Opposition forces and many motorists oppose the annual increase in toll tax. They say that this increases the cost of transporting essential goods and burdens commuters.