The Hindu : New Delhi News : Toll halved for vehicles plying within districts

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Monday, Dec 06, 2010
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New Delhi

Toll halved for vehicles plying within districts

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: In a bid to aid the growth of the local economy, the Centre has announced a 50 per cent reduction of the toll rate charged for cargo vehicles plying within a district. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath made the announcement as part of the settlement reached with truck owners, who called off their indefinite strike scheduled from Sunday.

Mr. Nath said that the concession would be extended only to those vehicles that were registered within, or had their address in, the specified district.

Groups to benefit

Farmers, sugarcane producers and local cargo operators are expected to benefit.

The Centre created a new category for three-axle trucks and pegged its base toll rate at Rs. 2.40 per km — approximately 10 per cent higher than the base rate levied on two-axle vehicles.

Three-axle trucks are the more popular in the country as they carry more weight and cause less damage to roads.

While not reversing its policy of levying toll completely, the ministry agreed to reduce the toll charges by 60 per cent once the concessionary period was over and levy only 40 per cent to meet the maintenance and development costs of the national highway concerned. This will be implemented prospectively and apply only to new projects.

An agreement was reached to resolve issues such as the creation of highway facilities, service roads, training schools and road safety measures through negotiations.

All-India Motor Transport Congress president G.R. Shanmugappa was present.

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