Hyderabad: Motorists Fume at Hiked Toll Plaza Charges

Hyderabad: The increased toll charges on national highways from Monday sparked discontent among vehicle owners and Telangana Lorry Owners Association (TLOA). The association and several vehicle owners vented their ire against both the government and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Typically, the NHAI enacts these toll hikes on April 1 each year. This year the increase was postponed due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Telangana has 31 toll plazas, including at least 26 on national highways.

Transport unions, particularly those representing the 5.8 lakh commercial goods transport vehicles, were vocal about their concerns. Manchireddy Rajender Reddy, president of the TLOA, highlighted the financial strain caused by the toll charges hike.

"If a multi-axle vehicle makes a trip between Hyderabad and Warangal, the toll is around Rs.3,000. For a trip between Hyderabad and Karimnagar, the charge is Rs.3,500. With the new hike, five per cent will be added, which is significantly high," Reddy said.

"The government already levies a road cess on diesel, and now the toll plazas are collecting additional charges. Despite this, the plaza authorities fail to provide basic amenities such as washrooms, parking lots, and security. Vehicles often wait at toll gates for more than 20 minutes, yet we are forced to pay these high charges.”

He added, “On a new lorry, we spend between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.15 lakh on taxes and registration charges. We are among the highest GST payers for diesel, and we also pay for spares and tyres.”

The TLOA and other transport unions are urging the authorities to reconsider the toll hike and address the infrastructure issues at the toll plazas to justify the increased charges.