Fixed charges to replace toll on national highways

In its bid to bring relief to private vehicle owners (read cars) from paying toll on National Highways (NHs), the road transport ministry has moved a Cabinet proposal seeking to allow all such vehicles to ply across the entire NH network paying monthly, half-yearly or annual charges of approximately Rs 250, Rs 1,400 and Rs 2,500, respectively. The amount proposed is almost equal to what private vehicle owners pay now for availing discount in toll charges only at one or two toll plazas in their locality. The proposal also proposes to exempt all buses used for public transport from paying toll.