National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on Thursday issued revised user fee (toll) rates to be collected at Hejmadi toll gate after the merger of Surathkal toll plaza. Accordingly, all vehicles will have to pay an additional toll of Surathkal plaza at the Hejmadi toll gate with effect from December 1.
The present fee for single trip at Surathkal plaza for light motor vehicles like car, jeep, van etc. (LMV) is Rs 60 and it is Rs 40 at Hejmadi plaza. After the merger of Surathkal gate, the toll for LMV at Hejmadi will be Rs 100. The present fee for return trips for LMV at Surathkal is Rs 90 and it is Rs 65 at Hejmadi. After the merger of Surathkal toll gate, the fee for return trips for LMV at Hejmadi will be Rs 155. The present fee for monthly pass valid for 50 single trips for LMV at Surathkal plaza is Rs 2,050 and it is Rs 1,410 at Hejmadi. After the merger, the rounded off fee for monthly pass valid for 50 single trips for LMV at Hejmadi will be Rs 3,460.
Similarly, buses, trucks and other heavy vehicles will also have to pay the toll of Surathkal plaza at Hejmadi after the merger. Buses that are paying Rs 6,940 and Rs 4,765 for monthly pass for 50 single trips at Surathkal and Hejmadi respectively, will have to pay Rs 11,705 at Hejmadi after the merger. NHAI project director H S Lingegowda stated in a letter to the deputy commissioner of Udupi on Thursday has stated that the calculation of tollable length has been done as per the National Highways Fee (determination of rates and collection) Amendment Rules, 2010 and National Highways Fee (determination of rates and collection) Amendment Rules, 2014.
“Based on the continuous request by the government of Karnataka, local public/VIP references, the competent authority has accorded approval for merger of Surathkal toll plaza with adjacent Hejmadi toll plaza. Accordingly, user fee for Surathkal toll plaza will now be charged at Hejmadi toll plaza by adding toll fee for both the stretches,” Lingegowda said.
The NHAI has requested the district administration of Udupi to provide necessary support including police protection to ensure that there will be no law and order issues at Hejmadi after the merger of Surathkal toll gate. Meanwhile, the Action Committee Against Surathkal Toll Gate convener Muneer Katipalla said that the indefinite day and night dharna that entered the 28th day on Thursday will continue till toll collection stops at Surathkal.
