SRINAGAR: The total toll revenue collected from the Srinagar Pathankot national highways (NH 44) in Jammu and Kashmir has crossed Rs 1800.64 crore since the commencement of toll collection, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday in response to a question by Assaduddin Owaisi.
Providing detailed data in response to a query, Gadkari stated that the revenue has been generated from several toll plazas situated along key national highways in the region.
Among the major contributors, the Lakhanpur National Highway (NH44), the primary entry point to Jammu and Kashmir, accounted for Rs 348.05 crore. The Bann Toll Plaza on NH44 recorded the highest toll collection in the region, amassing Rs 626.90 crore. Other notable contributions include Rs 270.98 crore from the Mada-Nashri Toll Plaza on the Udhampur-Ramban section of NH44, Rs 227.85 crore from the Lamber and Ujroo Toll Plaza, and Rs 328.86 crore from the Kaichachkoot User Fee Plaza.
The responsible tabled in the House added that user fee collection would commence within 45 days of the completion of each highway section. For private investment projects, toll collection would adhere to agreements with the concessionaire. The National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, and subsequent amendments govern the toll charges.
Besides, the minister shared the construction costs of various stretches of the national highway in Jammu and Kashmir. The total expenditure on these highways stands at Rs 13,813.43 crore. These include the Pathankot-Jammu (NH44) section, which cost Rs 895.75 crore, Kunjwani-Jakhain section of NH44 that was readied for Rs 2,086.67 crore, Udhampur-Ramban-Maroog section which took Rs 7,782 crore, Banihal-Qazigund section that was completed at an investment of Rs 1,947 crore and Srinagar-Qazigund section that was made operational after an investment of Rs 1,101 crore.
The re-laid highway has reduced distance and driving time in reaching Jammu from Srinagar. Most of the investment was taken by the tunnels that were laid to bypass the perilous and lengthy hill stretches.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a significant amendment to toll collection rules under The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024.
According to the new provisions, private vehicles travelling short distances of up to 20 kilometres on national highways and expressways will be exempted from toll charges if they are equipped with a functional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). For journeys exceeding this limit, the toll will be calculated based on the actual distance travelled, The Times of India reported.
The Ministry’s notification also specified that dedicated lanes may be designated for vehicles fitted with GNSS On-Board Units. Vehicles entering these lanes without a valid and functional GNSS On-Board Unit will face a penalty, paying double the applicable toll fee at the plaza.
This amendment aims to encourage the adoption of GNSS technology while providing relief to commuters travelling short distances.
