New Delhi: Union minister for road and surface transport Nitin Gadkari on Friday unveiled reforms in collection of toll on highways by making stretches built with cost upto Rs 50 crores free for the commuters. Additionally, 350 toll plazas across the country equipped with electronic facility will become operational from December 31.
Unveiling the measures, Mr Gadkari claimed that the move would save fuel bill worth Rs 60,000 crore a year. He added that 350 toll plazas across the country will adopt electronic toll collection method from December 31.
“The government has also decided to make highways wherein less than Rs 50 crore investments have been made toll-free. We have decided to cancel toll on projects where investments of less than Rs 50 crore have been made.
Thus, we have cancelled 27 tolls,” said Mr Gadkari, while adding that the government would cancel another 45 tolls. The minister said that by end of the next year 90 tolls would be free.
Mr Gadkari added that ETC would keep a check on fake toll plazas. Mr Gadkari explained that after the implementation of ETC system, everything is recorded and traffic will be calculated.
