Travellers between Hyderabad and Vijayawada to pay less toll fees from April 1

Hyderabad: In a major relief for travellers between Hyderabad and Vijayawada, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a reduction in toll fees for vehicles traveling between the two cities on the NH-65 stretch.

The revised toll prices will go into effect on April 1, beginning at midnight on March 31. These adjustments will be valid until March 31, 2026, and are a part of the standard modifications made to publicly funded toll plazas in accordance with National Highway Authority regulations.

Toll collection between Telugu states

Toll collection began in December 2012 at the three toll plazas on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway.

The highway has three toll stations: Panthangi and Korlapahad in Telangana and Chilakallu in Andhra Pradesh. GMR Infra Group has constructed an 181.5-kilometer, four-lane road from Dandu Malkapur in Yadadri-Bhongir district to Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) method at Rs 1,740 crore.

The company oversaw toll collection and road maintenance until June 31, 2024. NHAI has been collecting tolls through agencies since July 1 last year, and there was an agreement to increase toll fees every year when GMR managed the toll plazas. Now that NHAI is taking over toll collection, it has taken a decision to reduce toll fees.

What are the revised toll fees?

According to NHAI officials, the Panthangi toll plaza in Telangana (at the 60-km mark) now charges Rs 80 for a single ride and Rs 115 for a return journey, down from Rs 95 and Rs 145, respectively. The revised tariffs for light commercial vehicles, small buses and light goods trucks are Rs 125 (single) and Rs 190 (return), compared to the previous Rs 150 and Rs 230. The charges for buses and two-axle trucks have been decreased to Rs 265 and Rs 395, respectively, from Rs 315 and Rs 470. The toll for vehicles with up to three axles has been revised to Rs 290 and Rs 435 from Rs 485 and Rs 725.

Similarly, the Korlapahad toll plaza in Telangana (Km 118) now charges Rs 120 for a single ride and Rs 180 for a return journey, down from Rs 130 and Rs 195, respectively. Light commercial vehicles will now pay Rs 195 and Rs 295, a decrease from Rs 205 and Rs 310. The toll for buses and trucks has been reduced from Rs 430 and Rs 640 to Rs 410 (single) and Rs 615 (return), respectively. Vehicles with up to three axles will have to pay Rs 450 and Rs 675, down from Rs 665 and Rs 995.

The Chillakallu toll plaza in Andhra Pradesh (Km 205) now charges Rs 105 for a single ride and Rs 155 for a return journey, which is marginally lower than the previous Rs 110 and Rs 160. Light commercial vehicles and minibuses will now have to pay Rs 165 and Rs 250, respectively, up from Rs 110 and Rs 160. The new toll for buses and trucks is Rs 350 (single) and Rs 520 (return), a little reduction from Rs 355 and Rs 530. Vehicles with three axles will now have to pay Rs 380 and Rs 570, down from Rs 545 and Rs 820 previously, the NHAI officials said.