In a significant move set to ease the financial burden on daily commuters and long-distance travelers, the Indian government has approved a major reduction in toll charges on key highway stretches currently under construction. This decision promises direct relief for millions using the country's expanding road network.
Key Approvals for Commuter Relief
The finance ministry has given its green signal to two crucial proposals forwarded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The first and most impactful measure involves halving the toll fee on sections of national highways where work is ongoing to expand a 10-metre-wide two-lane road with paved shoulders into a four-lane highway.
The rationale behind this 50% cut is straightforward: commuters are not receiving the full service quality they pay for. During the construction period, the usable width of the road is often reduced, leading to congestion and slower travel times. Therefore, charging the full toll is deemed unfair.
Expressway User Fees Standardised
The second approval addresses another common grievance. For partially opened expressways, such as the much-anticipated Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway, the user fee will now be brought down to match the standard rate of other National Highways (NH).
Previously, the toll on these premium expressway stretches was set at 1.25 times the rate of regular NH sections. This premium charge will no longer apply to portions that are not fully operational, ensuring users pay a fair price commensurate with the available infrastructure.
Strict Timelines and Contractor Accountability
Alongside these relief measures, the finance ministry has introduced a clause to ensure efficiency. It has directed the highways ministry to strictly monitor and enforce penalty clauses against contractors who fail to complete these expansion projects within the stipulated deadlines.
This move is designed to prevent unnecessary delays in construction, which prolong the period of inconvenience for commuters. By holding contractors accountable, the government aims to ensure that road widening projects are completed swiftly, allowing the full benefits of the expanded infrastructure to be realized sooner.
This dual approach of providing immediate financial relief to users while imposing stricter deadlines on contractors reflects a balanced policy aimed at improving both the user experience and project execution on India's vital highway corridors.
