New Toll Plaza Rules 2022

Someone who travels long distances for sure gets to cross one of those toll plazas in India. Some people even have to cross one on a daily basis while commuting for work. These toll plazas actually put a toll on the journey expenses, but they are there to make it a bit more smooth. NHAI toll plaza rules stay more in news since Union Road Transport Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari took charge who is more or less responsible for transforming the map of Indian national highways in recent years. In the coming days, when new toll plaza rules are applicable through GPS tolling, these toll booths might no longer be seen. Know in detail what’s important to know as per new toll plaza guidelines. In case of a legal dispute at the national highways of Kolkata, a civil lawyer in Kolkata may help with a suitable solution legally to safeguard the rights.

Understanding Toll Plaza

Constructing roads, highways is the government’s duty, either directly or through a private contractor. The aim is to facilitate the people in India with easy journeys while travelling through such roads. However, everything takes money and the roads in India are no different. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the construction of national highways connecting the various states in India. The NHAI Toll Plaza Rules include passing a tender for road construction by an agency, making way for the road through land acquisition if required, actual construction and then inauguration. What follows is the establishment of new toll gate rules which charge the passers by, i.e. people travelling through the newly constructed roads. Toll plazas are the way out to how the cost of road construction will be recovered. The toll plaza rules 24 hours require the actual users to pay for the roads rather than being a toll over taxpayers’ pockets which otherwise happens in case of a government tender. 

What is the Rule of Toll Tax in India?

NHAI Toll Plaza Guidelines require payment of National Highways fees. The amount varies for different kinds of vehicles. It may be noted that new toll plaza rules vary among states as well. The toll plaza rules for local residents are a bit relieved while the commercial vehicles are charged higher as compared to private vehicles. Usually the government officials, even the Padma Shri awardees are not exempt as per the new toll plaza rules in India except for those in toll plaza exemption list 2022. 

The current Transport Minister, Sh. Nitin Gadkari must be applauded for transforming the snapshot of national highways in India in recent years. Strict toll plaza rules in India for newly constructed roads bring a win-win situation for contractors as well as the government which thereby accelerates the work.     

New Toll Plaza Rules 2022

• National Highways Fee Hike - Recently in April 2022, the authorities through notification informed hike in the fee payable as per NHAI toll rules 2022. There is an increase of 10% to 15% over NH toll for commercial and private vehicles. It means vehicle owners will have to pay an extra amount ranging from Rs 10 to 60 as per new toll gate rules.  
• No Toll After 10 seconds - In the previous year, the NHAI toll plaza rules struck the requirement to pay toll for people who had FASTags and yet had to wait for more than 10 seconds of service time. Also, in case the waiting queue extends for more than 100 metres, the new toll plaza rules allow vehicles to pass without paying the toll. 
• FASTags - The Electronic Toll Collection on Toll Plazas was introduced in recent years. However, it has been mandated as per NHAI toll plaza rules of previous year. FASTags employ Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for toll payment. 
• Proposed 
• The Union Transport Minister recently in March 2022 announced closure of toll plazas that are less than 60 kilometres apart. There will be only one toll booth within 60 kilometres and users will be exempt from paying the toll in case of otherwise whereby the toll plaza is within a 60 KM distance from another. 
• The government officials last year announced plans to unveil GPS based tolling. It will replace toll booths to ensure efficient tolling and evading the long queues on highways to ensure seamless passage of traffic. 

Is it Toll Free for Local Residents?

Local residents and frequent users enjoy concessions as per NHAI toll rules 2022. Although these relieving toll plaza rules may not be uniform across India. However, people residing within 20 kilometres of the toll plaza with non-commercial vehicle registration do enjoy some concessions as compared to others, especially the commercial vehicles. 

Can we Pass the Toll without FASTag?

Yes, although it is mandatory for vehicle owners to have FASTags as per new toll plaza rules 2022 as well. However, the authorities can not restrict movement of those who do not have a FASTag. Such users will have to pay double the amount for the category which their vehicle falls under. If you had your functional FASTag and were still made to pay the amount chargeable by those lacking one on a Kolkata highway, it is better to contact a lawyer in Kolkata.