Toll policy of neighboring states and other Toll policy of few of the neighboring states such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and that of NHAI, Orissa & Rajasthan was studied. Major highlights regarding various aspects of base rate, treatment of structures, revision policy, concessions, exemptions etc are provided in the following table:

S. NO.ASPECTKARNATAKAANDHRA PRADESHORISSARAJASTHANNHAI

1Base Rate of fee depending upon LanesDifferent rates are specified for 4-laneand above and 2-lane roads.Basic toll rate for different categories of vehicles varies from Rs 0.65-4.20 per km (4-lane) and Rs 0.50-1.5 per km (2-lane).Rates are mentioned for 4 lanes only.Basic toll rate for different categories of vehicles varies from Rs 0.5-Rs 1.5 per km. Different rates are mentioned for single lane, 2 lane and 4-lane roads.Basic toll rate for different categories of vehicles varies from Rs 0.21-Rs 2.80 per km (2-lane) and Rs 0.71-Rs 9.20 per km (4-lane).For two lanes or more lanes, the toll is same as mentioned in the toll policy.Basic toll rate for different categories of vehicles varies from Rs 0.80-Rs 4.80 per km.Different rates are specifiedfor 4-lane and above and 2-lane roads.Basic toll rate for different categories of vehicles varies from Rs 0.60-Rs 4.0 per km (4-lane).Toll rate for 2-lane roads is 70% of that of 4-lane road in each category.

2Treatment of different structures e.g. bridges, tunnels, etc.No such different treatment is prescribed for bridges, tunnels, etc.No such different treatment prescribed for different structures.Toll Rates for double lane bridges different from the rest of the project.Such toll rates (if the cost is more than Rs 5 crore) are different from the rest of the project highway.The toll rates for structures(only if the cost is morethan INR 50 crores) aredifferent from rest of theproject highway, but will belevied together with the restof the project highway atthe same toll plaza.

3Different treatment for BypassesNo such different treatment is prescribed for bypass.No such different treatment prescribed for different structures.Toll Rates for Bypasses are different from the rest of the project.Treatment is same as that for bridges and tunnels.The toll rates for bypasses(only if the cost is morethan INR 10 crores) aredifferent from rest of theproject highway.

4Annual revision dateAnnual revision of rate of fee under this rule shall be effective from 1st April every year.Base rate is fixed as onthe date of start oftolling. Revision to be done every 2 yearsAnnual revision of rate of fee under this ruleshall be effective from 1st April every year.Annual revision of rate of fee shall be effective from 1st April every yearAnnual revision of rate offee under this rule shall beeffective from 1st Aprilevery year.

5Calculation of revised toll ratesToll Rate for year B = [Basic Toll Rate X (WPI-B/WPI-A)]WPI-A = WPI of the year ending on 31stDec, 08WPI-B = WPI of the year ending on 31stDec of the preceding year.Basic Toll Rates are as mentioned in the notification.Toll Rate for year B = Basic toll rate x WPI B/WPI A WPI A= WPI at the time of fixing the toll rate WPI B= WPI at the time of revisionToll Rate for year B =base rate + base rate X {(WPI B-WPIA)/WPI A} X 0.4The rates specified for Base Year shall be increased without compounding, by 3% eachyear with effect from the 1st day of April, 2011 and such increased rate shall be the base rate for subsequent years. WPI-A = WPI of the week ending on or subsequent to 1st day of Jan 2010.WPI-B = WPI of the week ending on 6th January of that year.Toll Rate for year B =base rate + base rate X {(WPI B-WPIA)/WPI A} X 0.4The rates specified for Base Year shall be increased without compounding, by 3% eachyear with effect from the 1st day of April, 2011 and such increased rate shall be the base rate for subsequent years. WPI-A = WPI of the week ending on or immediately after 1st January.WPI-B = WPI of the week ending on 2nd January of that year.Toll Rate for year B =base rate + base rate X{(WPI B-WPI A)/WPI A} X0.4The rates specified forBase Year shall beincreased withoutcompounding, by three percent. each year with effectfrom the 1st day of April, 2008 and such increasedrate shall be deemed to bethe base rate for the subsequent years.WPI-A = WPI of the weekending on 1st week of Jan2007 .WPI-B = WPI of the weekending on 1st week of thatyear.

6ConcessionsMULTIPLE VISITS IN ONE DAY FOR NON-LOCALS: Amount payable is 1.5 times of toll for crossing the toll twice in 24 hours. Amount payable is 2/3 times of toll fee for crossing the toll 50 times in one month.Monthly pass may be provided for multiple journeys. Car/Jeep/Van: Local Area Monthly Passes at the monthly rate of Rs. 150/- for the residents of villages/towns/cities falling within a radius of 20 kms from the fee collection booths may be issued on production of residence proof and the ownership proof of the vehicle for which the pass is being issued. LCV/Truck: Concessional fee shall be charged from the local Transport Operators on production of proof for plying within 20 kms. The fee for such transport will be Rs. 25/- for Trucks for each entry and Rs. 15/- for Light Commercial Vehicles for each entry.Local vehicles registered for "non-commercial" purposes maybe issued a monthly pass for a fee of Rs 150/- (for 4 lane road), Rs 75/- (for 2 lane road) & Rs 50/- (intermediate or single lane road). "Locals" may refer to people residing within a distance of 20 km from the toll gate. Monthly pass may be issued on providing a proof of residence and registration papers of the vehicle. MULTIPLE VISITS FOR NON-LOCALS: Amount payable is 1.5 times of toll for crossing the toll twice in 24 hours. Amount payable is 2/3 times of toll fee for crossing the toll 50 times in one month.Local vehicles registered for "non-commercial" purposes maybe issued a monthly pass for a fee of Rs 200/- . "Locals" may refer to people residing within a distance of 20 km from the toll gate. Monthly pass may be issued on providing a proof of residence and registration papers of the vehicle. MULTIPLE VISITS IN FOR NON-LOCALS: Amount payable is 1.5 times of toll for crossing the toll twice in 24 hours. Amount payable is 2/3 times of toll fee for crossing the toll 50 times in one month.A monthly pass of INR.150/- for the base Year willbe levied to the local non-commercialusers."Locals" may refer to people residing within a distance of 20 km from the toll gate.MULTIPLE VISITS FOR NON-LOCALS: ->25 per cent discount for users who makereturn journey within 24 hours.-> discount of 1/3 of amount toll fee for crossing the toll 50 times in one month.

7ExemptionsAn extensive list has been provided for the vehicles exempted from the collection of toll fees.Following vehicles are exempted from paying the toll fees: -> cars of other than commercial purposes -> Vehicles carrying agricultural produce, if such vehicles are not involved in commercial purposes. -> school buses -> two-wheelers and three-wheelersFollowing vehicles are exempted from paying the toll fees: -> transporting and accompanying VIPs and dignitaries. -> If used for official purposes by Defense Ministry, Armed Forces, GoI etc. -> If used as an ambulance or dead body carrier. No pass shall be issued or fee collected from a driver, owner or person in charge of a mechanical vehicle that uses part of the section of a state highway and does not cross a toll plaza.An extensive list has been provided for the vehicles exempted from the collection of toll fees.

8Rate of fee for OverloadingIn case of overloading, the owner of the vehicle must pay the fee applicable for the next higher category of vehicle.In case of overloading of the vehicle, the owner is liable to pay an additional fee, which shall not exceed: -> 50% of the fee if the overloading is between 10-20% of the permissible limit. -> 100% of the fee if overloading exceeds 20% of the permissible limit.In case of overloading, the owner of the vehicle must pay the fee applicable for the next higher category of vehicle.In case of overloading, the owner of the vehicle must pay the fee applicable for the next higher category of vehicle. In case of overloading, the owner of the vehicle must pay the fee applicable for the next higher category of vehicle.

SOME KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM THE COMPARISON TABLE:From the comparison of toll policies of various states and NHAI, the following conclusions can be drawn: Local Traffic: local traffic is defined as the one which resides within 20km boundary of the toll gate.

OBSERVATIONS:As evident from the comparison table provided above, the following conclusions can be drawn: The basic toll rate is charged on per kilometer basis. Toll collection shall be done only at one place within a distance of 80 km from a point at the beginning of the 1st NH section, regardless of number of projects falling within that length. A toll plaza shall not be established within 60kms of another toll plaza, unless it is for the collection of fee for a permanent bridge, bypass or a tunnel. Local Vehicles registered for non-commercial purposes are generally exempted from payment of toll fees. Local residents, i.e., people residing within 20 km of the toll gate are provided concessions in the form of a monthly pass at the rate of Rs 150 or Rs 200/-. For non-locals, concessional passes are available if they ply through the toll gate multiple times in a day or in a month. Two wheelers, three wheelers and tractors with or without trailer/trolley, school buses, etc, irrespective of nature of load carried are not tolled.