The NHAI has progressed lately with something of a landmark step, whereby, under special conditions, it would declare several of its national highways toll-free from this month with a view to maximizing the highway travel options and making travel cheaper for the commuters. The initiative will, hopefully, be a blessing for lakhs of commuters and transport operators plying all over the country on a daily basis.
The Toll-Free Policy: Key Points
So as per this notification, henceforth vehicles waiting over and above the limited time at toll plazas on select highways shall be allowed free passage. According to the NHAI Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), A vehicle is not supposed to pay toll if it has been kept waiting for more than 100 seconds (1 minute and 40 seconds) at the toll plaza due to congestion or technical faults.
Therefore, it is an ongoing process by NHAI to minimize delay on toll plazas, allowing highway travel smooth and fast. It thus supplements the central government’s initiative of working for an efficient, digital, and user-friendly highway system.
Why This Move Matters
The policy is set against the backdrop of rising concerns among travelers over undue delays caused by congestion caused by inefficiencies in toll works, even after the widespread implementation of FASTag. While FASTag has reduced manual toll collection, certain issues like system failure to many improper scans to poor lane discipline still linger.
This is likely to enhance the accountability of operators of toll plazas as they are put on a tight leash to process vehicles on time or suffer an outright loss of revenue. For transporters, this lessens fuel consumption and composure on travel time, more particularly on equally busy road routes.
Implementation & Monitoring
NHAI has directed toll plaza operators to prominently display the new regulations and also to ensure that the staff is trained on the SOPs. There is a surveillance system set up to monitor the flow of traffic and vehicle wait times. Violation of any rule or dispute can be brought to the NHAI grievance redressal portal.
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