Hike in toll fees in Tamil Nadu from September 1

Chennai: The user fees at 19 toll plazas of Tamil Nadu will be hiked by 7 to 10 per cent from September 1 onwards, the National Highways Authority India (NHAI) said in a circular.

Pawan Kumar, Regional Officer, NHAI in a statement on Monday, said that the revision in rates in some places will be between 7 to 10 per cent but in some other places, it would be minimal.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has already announced that it would oppose the hike in toll plaza fees and the founder leader of the party S. Ramadoss has threatened that the party would conduct protest marches against it.

The PMK leader had on Saturday called upon the NHAI to present a white paper on the cost incurred to set up toll plazas in the state as well as the fees collected from users.

He also sought a detailed statement on the expenses and the profit they garner from the collection at toll plazas.

Ramadoss has said that the proposed hike is huge and would lead to a spiraling in prices of essential commodities in the state.

The Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Association has also objected to the hike in toll plaza rates in the state.

"The increase in toll plaza fees, after the lockdown is lifted, will increase our overheads as the industry was in standstill for the past 18 months. The NHAI must refrain from an immediate hike of toll rates," R. Nagarathnam, a senior member of the organization, told IANS.