The new NHAI guidelines have been issued to ensure a shortened waiting period for travellers. These guidelines will also ensure a smooth flow of traffic at the toll booths. This will ease the toll booth workers as well as the travellers as they will not have to worry about long queues. Toll plazas hold a great significance in the entire transportation and roadways process.

Many inspections are carried out at toll booths as they act like barriers between places. Toll plazas help the government in collecting toll tax, which is utilised for making roads, highways, flyovers, etc. Let us learn in detail about the functioning of toll plazas in India.

What Is A Toll Plaza?

A toll plaza is a payment station on highways where drivers pay a toll tax. This tax is calculated based on factors like vehicle size, weight, and road wear, with exemptions for certain vehicles like two-wheelers.

As a lot of money goes into the construction, operation, and maintenance of roads, bridges, and tunnels, tolls were introduced to cover some of these expenses. It helps finance the construction and maintenance of roads.

Features Of Toll Tax:

• Toll tax is a type of indirect tax that is not charged directly to individuals based on their income.

• The main purpose of road tax is to finance the construction and maintenance of roads.

• This road tax is not the usual road tax collected by the Regional Transport Office (RTO); it is collected by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

• It is a form of revenue generation which is split by the NHAI and is given to private parties or contractors who maintain and construct the roads.

• These toll booths also provide amenities such as water facilities, toilets and emergency services.

Toll Tax Calculation

Toll tax rates vary for different vehicles according to the size and the carriage weight of the vehicles. The toll tax fee also considers the purpose (personal or commercial) of the vehicle. The toll tax is, overall calculated by taking the following factors into account:

• NHAI takes into account the possible damage to the road caused by heavy vehicles, which also includes the load that these vehicles carry like those of buses or trucks to calculate the toll tax rate.

• In addition to the load capacity, the size of the vehicle also determines the PCU (Passenger Car Unit) upon which the toll tax is calculated.

• Four-wheelers like cars, trucks, buses, etc. have more PCUs. They are also heavy, carry more load and do more damage to the roads. Hence, the NHAI levies a higher toll tax amount on them. Buses or trucks have 3-4 PCUs whereas trailers have about 6 PCUs.

Also read: Can you cross toll booth for free?

Toll Plaza Rules To Remember

There are two important toll tax rules to remember while crossing a highway toll booth.

• The FASTag 10-second rule: When you go through a toll booth, check how long it takes. New NHAI rules say you shouldn't wait more than 10 seconds. If it takes longer, you don't have to pay the toll. This helps keep the toll system fast and prevents traffic jams.

• 100-meter queue: If you're in line to pay the toll, look for a yellow line on the road. If the line of cars goes past this yellow line, which is 100 meters away, you don't have to pay the toll. According to NHAI rules, all cars must be allowed to go through until the line is shorter than the yellow line. This helps prevent traffic build-up at toll booths.

• As per the rules of the Government of India, vehicles with a capacity of less than one PCU (Passenger Car Unit) are exempted from paying toll tax. Bikes or two-wheeled vehicles are equivalent to the same. Hence, they are exempted.

• Public services such as public toilets and standby support are available on tax booths.

What Are The Key Features Of FASTag To Remember?

NHAI has implemented new FASTag rules to streamline toll collections.

• Toll charges will be automatically deducted as a vehicle passes through the toll booth.

• Shorter waiting periods.

• Reduced idle time will help save fuel.

• Better travel experience.

Exemptions For Common People For Toll Payment At Toll Plazas

In a few cases, certain exemptions from toll payments may be provided to the people:

• A pass for multiple journeys to cross a user fee plaza within the specified period at the rates specified.

A driver, owner, or person in charge of a mechanical vehicle who makes use of the section of National Highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel may opt for a pass and pay tax at the following rates:

Amount Payable	Max. no. of one-way journeys allowed	Period of validity
One and half times the toll tax fee for one way journey	Two	Twenty-four hours from the time of payment
Two-third of the amount of the toll tax fee payable for fifty single journeys	Fifty	One month from the date of payment
Please note that no such pass shall be issued if a service road or alternative road is available.

Conclusion

Toll tax plays a crucial role in funding the infrastructure development and maintenance of roads all over India. These new rules implemented by NHAI will increase efficiency and ensure a smooth journey for all travellers.

To apply for a FASTag, click here and call 1033 to lodge any complaints.

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