Patna: Toll collection on Bihar’s state highways is set to begin with two major road stretches — Bihta-Sarmera State Highway-78 and Udakishunganj-Bhatgama State Highway-58.
The Bihar government has already invited tenders for the toll collection process, and preparations for setting up toll plazas on both routes have begun.
The toll will be collected only from commercial vehicles travelling on these state highways. Private vehicles will not be charged toll tax.
Toll Plazas to Be Introduced in Phases
The Roads Construction Department has decided to introduce toll collection across state highways and bridges under the state government’s jurisdiction in a phased manner.
Toll plazas will not be established on all highways and bridges simultaneously. Instead, the system will gradually be expanded to other routes after the initial implementation.
The Bihta-Sarmera and Udakishunganj-Bhatgama stretches have been selected for the first phase of the state highway toll system.
Bihta-Sarmera Road Comes Under SH-78
The first route is the Bihta-Sarmera stretch of State Highway-78, connecting Bihta in Patna district with Sarmera in Nalanda district.
A toll plaza is planned on this route as part of the new toll collection system. Commercial vehicles using the highway will be liable to pay the applicable toll.
Private cars and other vehicles falling under the exemption category will not be charged.
Udakishunganj-Bhatgama Road Also Selected
The second route is State Highway-58 between Udakishunganj in Madhepura and Bhatgama.
The government has initiated the tender process for toll collection on this stretch as well. The route will be brought under the same phased system, with toll collection focused on commercial traffic.
Ara-Chhapra Bridge Also on Toll Plan
Apart from state highways, toll collection is also being prepared for major bridges in Bihar.
The Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation is working on plans to introduce toll collection on several important bridges, with the Ara-Chhapra Bridge among the projects being considered on priority.
A fresh tender for selecting an agency to collect toll on the bridge is expected to be issued. An earlier tender had reportedly been withdrawn due to unavoidable reasons.
Toll System to Gradually Expand Across Bihar
The state government plans to extend the toll system to more state highways and bridges in the coming phases.
The initiative is being implemented separately through agencies associated with state highways and bridges, with toll collection arrangements being prepared route by route.
For motorists, the key point in the first phase is that private vehicles will remain exempt, while commercial vehicles using the designated toll routes will be required to pay the applicable charges.
