National Highway toll rules: Residents living close to a toll plaza can get a new annual concessional pass; check eligibility, rural and urban rates, and how much commuters can save

Residents living within 20 km of a National Highway toll plaza will be eligible for a new annual concessional pass, with fees set at Rs 1,500 for plazas outside municipal or local town limits and Rs 3,000 for those within these limits. The move offers potential savings for regular commuters, as the existing monthly pass costs Rs 360, or Rs 4,320 a year.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified amendments to the National Highways Fee Rules on Monday, allowing eligible vehicle owners to choose between the existing monthly pass and the new annual option. To qualify, vehicles must be registered for personal use and have a valid, functional FASTag.

The concession will be restricted to the toll plaza for which the pass is issued and cannot be used at any other plaza. The annual rates will also be revised every year on April 1, according to the notification.

However, the facility will not apply to National Highways or expressways where toll collection follows a closed user fee collection system. Residents will also be ineligible if a service road or alternative route is available for their use, making the absence of an alternative road a key condition for availing the concession.

Read full document here