Highway users will have to shell out more toll for using the roads that are constructed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme.
Under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, cleared by the Cabinet recently, a minimum toll fee of Rs 5 for car, jeep, van and other light motor vehicles; Rs 7.50 for light commercial vehicles, light goods vehicles or mini-bus; Rs 15 for truck or bus; and Rs 30 for oversized vehicles for using permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel whose cost of construction is above Rs 10 crore, has been imposed.
Earlier, consumers did not have to pay anything additional over and above the toll for using the highway, irrespective of whether they passed a tunnel or a bridge.
The new rules will not apply to agreements and contracts executed for any highway project prior to the publication of these rules.
Feedback Ventures MD (Engineering Division) Parvesh Minocha said, "From a consumer's point of view, this is definitely going to put an additional burden. However, if our