Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 7: In a major relief to motorists, the government has revised the toll calculation method for certain stretches of National Highways featuring structures such as bridges, tunnels, flyovers, and elevated roads—reducing user charges by up to 50%.

As per the notification issued by the ministry of road transport and highways on July 2, the revised formula applies to highway stretches where these structures are present. The toll will now be calculated based on either ten times the length of the structure(s) or five times the total length of the section, whichever is lesser. This adjustment significantly reduces the toll burden on travellers.

For example, if a 40 km highway section consists entirely of structures, the toll would earlier be calculated on 400 km (10 x 40). Under the new rule, it will be calculated on just 200 km (5 x 40), cutting the toll by half.

This change comes as an amendment to the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, and is aimed at making travel more affordable while still accounting for the higher construction costs of such infrastructure.

A senior NHAI official confirmed that the move will lower toll rates for roads with expensive features like flyovers and tunnels, bringing much-needed respite to frequent highway users.