The NHAI has proposed to enhance (or already enhanced?) the Toll rate at 22 Toll plaza out of 48 plazas in the state wef 01/09/2020.The proposed annual hike may vary from Rs 5 to Rs 30.Various truck owners association in Tamil Nadu has raised objection against the proposed hike.
According to them such hike during the period of Pandemic is injustice. Truck owners Association added that around Rs 3000/- to be paid as toll between Chennai and Banglore route.In this stretch there are 5 plazas.The association further alleges that the Toll Plaza Contractor need to spend 15 % of the revenue for development and maintenance of the road and related infrastructure. But no such activities are not taking place.
According to reports average expenditure met by trucks on toll road is around Rs 1.60 per Kilometre which is around 3.5 to 4 times higher than toll rate of private motor car.This rate is higher than majority of European Countries.In France the rate is 2.4 to 3.2 times higher and in Spain its 1.5 times higher .
The Truck Owners association further states that the increase in the Diesel Price is already affecting the truck movement badly.Around Rs 28 per Kilometre is the present day expenditure for operation of trucks in India. Even though they are paying high toll rates, only 250/300 kilometre can be covered in a day due to road blockade ,traffic jam etc.In foreign countries the average distance covered by a heavy truck is above 750 Km per day.
The decrease in covering distance will increase the cost of manpower .In some cases double drivers are required.If the average distance per day is increased truck owners could save that much cost of manpower expenditure.
In this scenario the Ro Ro service of the railways,now started from Banglore also gain momentum.One of the main advantage.
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