Travelling on National Highways in Tamil Nadu is about to become more expensive as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to increase toll charges at 25 plazas across the state starting September 1. The hike will range from ā¹5 to ā¹150 per trip, depending on the type of vehicle.NHAI officials have confirmed that the fee hike is an annual adjustment as per the concessionaire agreement. The revision in toll fees is based on the wholesale price index, as stipulated in the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
Tamil Nadu currently has 67 operational toll plazas managed by the NHAI. Of these, toll fees are revised at 25 plazas every year on September 1, while the remaining plazas undergo fee adjustments on April 1. According to NHAI sources, the upcoming hike will be nominal, varying between five to seven percent for all classes of vehicles across the state.
However, this increase has sparked concern among those who rely on the highways for transportation. A trader from Koyambedu, Chennai, expressed worry that the higher toll fees would lead to increased freight charges for truckers who transport essential goods such as vegetables, fruits, pulses, and rice to the city from various parts of the state and beyond. “The prices of pulses, rice, and vegetables are already high, and this annual toll fee revision will only add to the burden,” the trader noted.
The toll plazas in Tamil Nadu collected a substantial ā¹4,221 crore in 2023-24, marking a 10% increase from the ā¹3,817 crore collected in the previous fiscal year. Tamil Nadu ranks fifth in toll revenue collection among Indian states, with Uttar Pradesh leading at ā¹6,961 crore, followed by Rajasthan (ā¹5,954 crore), Maharashtra (ā¹5,352 crore), and Gujarat (ā¹4,781 crore).
As the toll fee hike takes effect, commuters and businesses alike will have to adjust to the increased costs of using the stateās extensive highway network.