COIMBATORE: Revised charges at 66 toll plazas on national highways in the state, including Kaniyur toll gate in Coimbatore district, came into effect on Wednesday. As part of the annual revision of tariffs based on the wholesale price index (WPI), the existing charges have been raised from 5% to 7% by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The monthly pass will go up from Rs 300 to Rs 350, while the annual pass for private vehicles will be revised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,075, valid up to 200 toll crossings.Commenting on this revision, RK Maheshwaran, who runs travel company in the city, said, “It was very recently that the charges were hiked and yet again there’s another one. These toll fees are included in the travel quotation provided to passengers, but many do not understand the reason for the fee increase. As a result, they often assume that the travel company is intentionally charging more.”He further said, “For instance, when we travel from Coimbatore to Bengaluru, there are 10 tolls, and before the revision, we had to pay a maximum of Rs 500 for a one-way trip. After the revision, we will have to pay an additional Rs 200. Especially at Kaniyur, the minimum charges used to be Rs 35, which will be increased to Rs 70-75. Likewise, the maximum charges were Rs 110, which has been increased to Rs 160-170. While considering the heavy vehicles and logistics, the impact on commercial vehicles is comparatively less. If they used to Rs 1,000, now they’ll have to pay Rs 1,500. No matter how many charges, the cost will end up landing in the consumer.”
