NHAI Implements 5% Hike in National Highway Toll Charges

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented a new toll fee hike, raising charges by an average of 5%. Originally scheduled for April 1, the increase was postponed due to general elections. The change affects motorists nationwide starting Monday.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a 5% increase in toll charges for motorists on national highways, effective from Monday. This annual adjustment, typically enacted on April 1, was delayed this year due to general elections, according to an NHAI official who spoke to PTI.

Every year, the state-owned body revises toll fees after considering various factors. This year, the average hike is 5%. The revised rates mean that from Monday, motorists using national highways and expressways will face higher costs for their journeys.

'The fuel costs were already high. The increased toll rates will make road journeys costlier for people,' remarked Ankur Saxena, an advertising professional who frequently travels the Delhi-Lucknow route. The adjustment accommodates the annual changes in the wholesale price index-based inflation.