NHAI maintains toll tax status amid Lok Sabha polls

The significance of the toll plazas situated at Shivapur and Anewadi as vital links between Pune and Satara, two of the busiest cities. It was mentioned that light vehicles passing through this checkpoint were expected to incur a toll tax of Rs 120, an increase from Rs 115 in the previous year. This information was provided via a file photograph. An official from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) conveyed that, as per directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI) due to the enforced Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the decision to raise toll taxes nationwide has been postponed. This statement was made on April 1. The NHAI reversed its decision to revise the user fee rates at NH Fee Plazas, which was initially scheduled to commence on April 1, due to the General Election in 2024. The NHAI official clarified that the ECI, under the MCC, instructed against implementing the increased toll tax until the conclusion of the Lok Sabha polls. Traditionally, toll rates undergo an annual increase as stipulated by the National Highways Fee (determination of rates and collection) Rules, 2008. For this fiscal year, it was anticipated that toll charges on highways nationwide would rise by 2.5 percent, affecting routes such as the Pune-Satara and Pune-Nashik Highways. The toll plazas situated at Shivapur and Anewadi are pivotal in linking Pune and Satara. It was projected that light vehicles passing through these toll booths would be charged Rs 120, up from Rs 115 in the previous year. Additionally, the revised toll for buses and trucks was announced to be Rs 390. Regarding heavy vehicles traversing the Khed-Shivapur toll plaza, the intended toll was set at Rs 630, compared to the previous fee of Rs 615.