Patna: Bihar has completed a survey to assess the feasibility of toll collection on 50 state highways and 45 major bridges under the state government’s jurisdiction. A report based on the traffic data is expected to be submitted to the Road Construction Department this month.
Officials said cameras were used to record vehicles travelling on the surveyed roads and bridges. Traffic data was collected for seven days to assess the average daily vehicle movement.
Toll Collection To Focus On High-Traffic Routes
The department will review the survey report before deciding which roads and bridges should come under the toll system.
Officials said routes with higher traffic volumes are likely to receive priority. However, the number of roads and bridges where tolls will ultimately be imposed will be decided only after the report is examined.
Private Vehicles Likely To Be Exempt
The state government is preparing a proposal to exempt private vehicles from toll payments on state highways and major bridges.
The Road Construction Department is expected to seek approval from the State Cabinet for the proposal.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had announced on July 7 that private vehicles would not be charged toll tax on state highways or major bridges. Under the proposed system, tolls would be collected from commercial vehicles.
Toll Rates Based On Road Width
Under the state’s toll policy, roads wider than two lanes but narrower than four lanes will attract 60% of the standard toll rate.
Roads with four or more lanes will attract the full standard rate, while intermediate-lane roads measuring 5.5 metres in width will attract 50% of the standard rate.
For bridges, the toll calculation will factor in the bridge length. According to the policy, the applicable standard rate is multiplied by 10 times the bridge length for calculating the charge.
For example, if a 50-km road includes a 5-km bridge and a 45-km road section, the toll calculation will be based on an effective distance of 95 km, combining the 45-km road section with the 50-km bridge-equivalent distance.
Proposed Toll Rates For Commercial Vehicles
The stated rates for commercial vehicles are:
- Small commercial vehicles, including mini-buses and goods carriers: Rs 2 per km
- Buses and two-axle trucks: Rs 4.25 per km
- Three-axle commercial vehicles: Rs 4.60 per km
- Heavy construction machinery and earth-moving equipment: Rs 6.65 per km
- Oversized vehicles with seven or more axles: Rs 8.10 per km
The final list of roads and bridges where tolls will be introduced will depend on the traffic survey and the government’s subsequent decision.
