## Policy Analysis Report: National Highways Fee Determination - Palladam Kurukathi Section (NH 81)
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a new government policy notification concerning the determination and collection of fees for the use of the four-or-more-lane Palladam Kurukathi Section of National Highway 81 (new NH 81) in Tamil Nadu. The core purpose is to levy a user fee for this section of the highway, enabling the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to recover costs and maintain the infrastructure. Key findings include the specific fee rates for different vehicle types, the location of the fee plaza, provisions for monthly passes, and stipulations regarding overloaded vehicles and exemptions.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative analysis of a new policy notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding fee collection on the Palladam Kurukathi Section of National Highway 81 in Tamil Nadu. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text, aiming to inform affected industries and stakeholders about the key provisions and implications of this policy.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This is a new policy establishing user fees on a specific section of National Highway.
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective is to levy and collect fees from users of the four-or-more-lane Palladam Kurukathi Section of new National Highway 81. This is primarily for cost recovery of the project (stated capital cost of Rs. 333.36 Crore) and maintenance of the highway. The policy text suggests a secondary objective of regulating overloaded vehicles.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This is a new policy establishing a fee structure. The policy addresses the need for funding the construction, maintenance, and operation of the specified section of National Highway 81. By levying a user fee, the government aims to ensure that those who benefit from the improved infrastructure contribute to its upkeep and cost recovery. The notification references Section 5 of the National Highways Act, indicating the project falls under the purview of national highway development and maintenance initiatives.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This is a new policy, so all provisions are "new." The policy establishes the following:
* **Fee Structure:** Sets specific fee rates for different vehicle types (Car/Jeep/Van, Light Commercial Vehicle, Bus/Truck, Three Axle Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Construction Machinery/Earth Moving Equipment/Multi Axle Vehicle, Oversized Vehicles) based on a base rate per kilometer for the year 2007-08.
* **Fee Plaza Location:** Establishes a fee plaza at Km 32.000 of new NH 81, near Pongalur village in Tiruppur District of Tamil Nadu.
* **Fee Calculation:** Specifies that the actual amount of fee and discounts will be calculated by NHAI based on the completed length of the section and revised annually.
* **Monthly Pass:** Provides for a monthly pass for non-commercial vehicles registered to residents within 20 kilometers of the fee plaza at a rate of Rs. 350.00 for the year 2025-26, subject to annual revision.
* **Multiple Journey Passes:** Details discounts for multiple journeys (two-way and fifty journeys).
* **Concessions:** Specifies a 50% concession on fees for commercial vehicles (excluding those with National permits) registered in the district where the plaza falls, provided no service or alternative road is available.
* **Overloaded Vehicles:** Mandates that overloaded vehicles pay a fee equal to that specified in subrule 1A of rule 10 of the said rules and remove the excess load before using the highway.
* **Definitions:** Refers to existing definitions within the National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008 for terms such as "mechanical vehicles," "permissible load," and "exempted vehicles."
* **Transparency:** Requires the display of fee rates for public information.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
* **Vehicle Owners/Operators:** All users of the Palladam Kurukathi Section of National Highway 81, particularly those operating commercial vehicles.
* **Residents Near Fee Plaza:** Individuals residing within 20 km of the Pongalur fee plaza, eligible for monthly passes.
* **Commercial Vehicle Operators Registered Locally:** Commercial vehicle operators registered in the Tiruppur district where the fee plaza is located may benefit from reduced fees, subject to the availability of alternative roads.
* **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** Responsible for implementing and managing the fee collection process.
* **Contractors:** If NHAI outsources fee collection.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency:** The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is explicitly authorized to collect the fee, either directly or through a contractor.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The fees are effective from the date of the notification (June 23, 2025). Fee rates are subject to annual revision as per the National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008. NHAI is responsible for calculating and publishing the revised rates annually.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* **Cost Recovery:** The primary intended outcome is to recover the capital cost of the project (Rs. 333.36 Crore) and generate revenue for the maintenance and operation of the Palladam Kurukathi section of NH 81.
* **Infrastructure Development:** The revenue generated will contribute to the overall development and maintenance of the national highway network.
* **Regulation of Overloaded Vehicles:** The provision regarding overloaded vehicles aims to deter the use of vehicles exceeding permissible load limits, thereby reducing wear and tear on the highway.
**9. Conclusion:**
The new policy notification establishes a user fee system for the Palladam Kurukathi Section of National Highway 81 in Tamil Nadu. It outlines specific fee rates, procedures, and responsibilities for implementation. The policy aims to recover project costs, maintain the highway infrastructure, and regulate vehicle usage. The stakeholders, particularly vehicle owners and operators, should be aware of the fee structure and provisions outlined in this notification to ensure compliance and efficient transportation. The financial implications for various stakeholders and the impact on transportation costs need further monitoring.
Key Entities Referenced
National Highways Act, 1956: A law regarding national highways, mentioned in the context of powers conferred by section 5 and section 7.
Central Government: The governing body that has entrusted the stretch of old National Highway No.67 to the State Government of Tamil Nadu and levies fee at specified rate.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The government ministry that issued the notification.
New Delhi: The city where the notification was issued.
National Highway No.67: The old national highway number that is now new NH No.83, 81 and 181.
Tamil Nadu: The state to whose government the stretch of old National Highway No.67 has been entrusted.
Nagpatinam ThanjavurTrichyKarur section: A section of road situated within the State of Tamil Nadu.
National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008: Rules related to determining rates and collecting fees on national highways.
Palladam Kurukathi Section: A section of road from design Km 26.500 to km 81.300 of new National Highways number 81 in the State of Tamil Nadu.
National Highways Authority of India: The authority authorized to collect the fee, either through its officials or through a contractor.
Pongalur, PalladamTaluk: A village and taluk in Tiruppur District of Tamil Nadu, near which the Fee Plaza is located.
Tiruppur District of Tamil Nadu: The district in Tamil Nadu where the Fee Plaza is located.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-26062025-264154
CG-DxLx-xEG-I2D6H0x6x2x0 25-264154
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 2786] नई दिल्ली, बुधवार, िनू 25, 2025/आषाढ़ 4, 1947
No. 2786] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025/ASHADHA 4, 1947
सड़क पररवहन और रािमाग गमत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 23 िून, 2025
का.आ. 2852(अ).—िबदक, केन्दर सरकार न े राष्ट्रीय रािमाग ग अजधजनयम, 1956 (1956 का 48) की धारा 5 के
अधीन िारी की गई भारत सरकार के सड़क पररवहन और रािमागग मंत्रालय की अजधसूचना स.ं का. आ. 974(अ), दिनांदकत
9 अप्रलै , 2015 के द्वारा तजमलनाडु राज्य म ें जस्ट्ित पुरानी राष्ट्रीय रािमागग संख्या 67 (नई राष्ट्रीय रािमाग ग संख्या 83, 81
और 181) [दकमी 0.000 स ेदकमी 218.2000 (नागपजतनम - तंिावुर-जत्रची-करूर खडं ) को छोड़कर] के खंड को तजमलनाडु
राज्य सरकार को सौंपा गया ह।ै
अत: अब, राष्टरीय रािमाग ग फीस (िरों का जनधारग ण और संग्रहण) जनयम, 2008 (िो इसके आग े ‘जनयम’ के रूप म ें
उजल्लजखत ह)ै के जनयम 3 के साि परित राष्टरीय रािमागग अजधजनयम, 1956 (1956 का 48) की धारा 7 द्वारा प्रित्त
िजतयों का प्रयोग करत े हुए, केन्दर सरकार, एतिद्वारा तजमलनाडु राज्य म ें नया राष्टरीय रािमागग स.ं 81 के पल्लिम –
कुरुकािी खंड के जडिाइन दकमी 26.500 स े दकमी 81.300 तक चार अिवा अजधक लेन के उपयोग के जलए 54.80 दकमी
की जनवल सड़क खंड लंबाई के जलए ताजलका 1 के कॉलम (2) म ेंजवजनर्िगष्टट आधार िर नीचे िी गई ताजलका 1 के कॉलम (1)
4170 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
म ेंजवजनर्िगष्टट वाहनों के प्रकार पर फीस उिगृहीत करती ह ैतिा भारतीय राष्टरीय रािमाग गप्राजधकरण को उसके अजधकाररयों
अिवा दकसी िेकेिार के माध्यम स े उत फीस के संग्रहण के जलए प्राजधकृत करती ह,ै अिागत:् -
ताजलका-।
आधार वष ग2007-08 के जलए प्रजत दकमी
वाहन का प्रकार
आधार फीस िर (रु. म)ें
(1) (2)
कार, िीप, वैन या हल्के मोटर वाहन 0.65
हल्के वाजणजज्यक वाहन, हल्के माल वाहन या जमनी बस 1.05
बस या रक (िो धुरी) 2.20
तीन धरु ी वाल ेवाजणजज्यक वाहन 2.40
भारी जनमागण मिीनरी (एचसीएम) या अि गमूववंग उपस्ट्कर (ईएमई) या
3.45
बहु धुरीय वाहन (एमएवी) (चार से छ: धरु ी)
जविाल आकार के वाहन (सात या अजधक धरु ी) 4.20
1. म ें िये और संिेय होगी, अिातग ्:- इसके अंतगगत उिगृहीत और संग्रहीत फीस ऐस े पिकर प्लािाओं के अतं गतग
जवजनर्िगष्टट िरू ी हते ु जनम्न जलजखत पिकर प्ल ािाओं
ताजलका-2
पिकर प्लािा (चनै ेि) की अवजस्ट्िजत लंबाई (दकमी म)ें जिसके जलए िर, जिस पर फीस संिेय ह ै।
फीस संिेय ह ै
तजमलनाडु के जतरुपुर जिले के पल्लिम तालुक, चार अिवा अजधक लने के जलए ऊपर
ताजलका-1 म ेंउजल्ल जखत आधार िरों का
पोंगालुर गांव के जनकट नया एनएच-81 के दकमी 54.800 दकमी
100%
32.000 पर
2. गैर-वाजणजज्यक प्रयोिनों के जलए पंिीकृत यांजत्रक वाहन के स्ट्व ामी और पिकर प्लािा स े बीस दकमी की िरू ी के
भीतर जनवास करन े वाल े व्यजत के जलए माजसक पास की िर वष ग 2025-26 के जलए 350.00 रु. (तीन सौ पचास रुपए
मात्र) ह ैऔर उत जनयमों के प्रावधानों के अनुसार प्रजतवष ग संिोधन के अध्यधीन ह।ै
3. रािमागग खंड पर बहुल यात्राओं के जलए जनम्नजलजखत िरों पर पास िारी दकए िाएंग,े अिागत:्-
ताजलका-3
भगु तान-योग्य धनराजि अनमु त एकतरफा यात्राओं की वधै ता की अवजध
अजधकतम सख्ं य ा
एकतरफा यात्रा के जलए फीस का डेढ़ गुना िो भुगतान के समय से
चौबीस घंटे
पचास एकल यात्राओं के जलए भुगतान-योग्य फीस की पचास भुगतान की तारीख से एक
राजि का िो-जतहाई महीना
4. फीस प्ल ािा जस्ट्ित होने वाले जिल े म ें पंिीकृत वाजणजज्यक वाहनों (राष्टरीय परजमट के अधीन प्रचाजलत दकए िा रह े
वाहनों को छोड़कर) के जलए फीस उस श्रेणी के वाहन हते ुजनधारग रत िर की 50% होगी, बिते दक ऐसे वाजणजज्यक वाहनों के
प्रयोग के जलए कोई सर्वगस रोड या वैकजल्पक सड़क उपलब्ध न हों।[भाग II—खण्ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
5. संबंजधत श्रेणी के वाहनों के जलए जवजनर्िगष्टट अनज्ञु ेय भार स े अजधक भार लि े यांजत्रक वाहन का चालक या स्ट्वामी या
प्रभारी व्यजत, राष्ट्रीय रािमागग पर अजतभार लि े वाहन के प्रवेि के जलए टोल संग्रहण एिेंसी को ऐसी श्रेणी के वाहनों के
प्रवेि जलए, उक्त जनयमों के जनयम 10 के उप-जनयम 1ए म ें जवजनर्िगष्ट फीस के समतल्ु य फीस का भुगतान करन े के जलए
उत्तरिायी होगा और वह रािमागग खंड का प्रयोग करने के जलए तब तक हकिार नहीं होगा िब तक ऐस े यांजत्रक वाहन स े
लिा अजतभार हटाया नहीं िाता।
6. सभी पररभाषाए,ं यांजत्रक वाहनों की श्रेणी, इनके अनज्ञु ेय भार, छूट प्राप्त वाहनों की श्रणे ी, सर्वगस रोड, वैकजल्पक
सड़क इत्यादि पूवोत जनयमों म ें जवजनर्िगष्टट पररभाषाओं के अनुरूप होंगी।
7. फीस की िरें उक्त जनयमों के जनयम 12 के अनुसरण में प्रयोताओं के सूचनािग प्रिर्िगत करनी होंगी।
8. यांजत्रक वाहनों स े फीस की वास्ट्तजवक राजि उपयुगत ताजलका-1 म ें यिा-उजल्ल जखत आधार वष ग 2007-08 के जलए
प्रजत दकमी फीस की आधार िर के आधार पर प्रभाररत होगी और छूटों की गणना भारतीय राष्ट्रीय रािमागग प्राजधकरण द्वारा
खंड की परू ी हो गई लंबाई के आधार पर की िाएगी और उस े उत जनयमों के जनयम 5 के अनुसार प्रजत वष ग संिोजधत दकया
िाएगा तिा तिनुसार उसे अंग्रिे ी और क्षेत्रीय भाषा के कम स ेकम एक-एक समाचार पत्र म ें प्रकाजित दकया िाएगा।
9. इस पररयोिना की प्राकजलत पूंिीगत लागत 333.36 करोड़ रु. ह।ै भूजम अजधग्रहण, सावगिजनक िन-उपयोगी
सुजवधाओं के स्ट्िानांतरण, पेड़ों को काटने, आदि कायगकलापों को अभी पूरा दकया िाना ह ैइसजलए, पूंिीगत लागत पररवतनग
के अध्यधीन ह।ै प्राप्त प्रयोता फीस के माध्यम स े वसूल की गई पूंिीगत लागत का भारतीय राष्ट्रीय रािमाग ग प्राजधकरण
द्वारा ररकाडग रखा िाएगा।
[फा. स.ं आरओ/चन्ने ई/एमओआरटीएच/12014/एनएच-81/023/एपी/2022-23/ई-217200]
कमलेि चतुवेिी, संयुत सजचव
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 23rd June, 2025
S.O. 2852(E).—Whereas by the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways number S.O.974(E) dated 9th April 2015,issued under section 5 of the National Highways Act,1956 (48 of
1956), the Central Government has entrusted the stretch of old National Highway No.67 (new NH No.83,81 and 181)
[excluding km 0.000 to km 218.2000 (Nagpatinam – Thanjavur-Trichy-Karur section)] situated within the State of Tamil
Nadu to the State Government of Tamil Nadu.
Now, therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 of the National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956),
read with Rule 3 of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 (hereinafter referred
to as the “rules”), the Central Government hereby levies the fee at the rate specified in column (2) of the Table 1 for net
road section length of 54.80 Km on the type of vehicles specified in column (1) of the Table 1 below for the use of four
or more lane of Palladam – Kurukathi Section from design Km 26.500 to km 81.300 of new National Highways number
81 in the State of Tamil Nadu and authorises the National Highways Authority of India to collect, either through its
officials or through a contractor, the said fee, namely:-
Table-1
Type of Vehicle Base rate of fee per km for the base
year 2007- 08 (in Rupees)
(1) (2)
Car, Jeep, Van or Light Motor Vehicle 0.654 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
Light Commercial Vehicle, Light Goods Vehicle or Mini bus 1.05
Bus or Truck (Two Axles) 2.20
Three- axle commercial vehicles 2.40
Heavy Construction Machinery (HCM) or Earth Moving Equipment (EME)
3.45
or Multi Axle Vehicle (MAV) (four to six axles
Oversized Vehicles (Seven or more Axles) 4.20
1. The fee to be levied and collected hereunder shall be due and payable at the Fee Plaza for net road length
specified for such Fee Plaza(s) namely:-
Table-2
Location of Fee Plaza (chainage) Length(in km) for which Rate at which fee is payable
Fee is payable
At Km 32.000 of new NH-81, near village
100% for four or more lane, of the base
Pongalur, PalladamTaluk of Tiruppur 54.800 Km
rates mentioned in Table-1 above
District of Tamil Nadu.
2. The rate of Monthly pass for a person who owns a mechanical vehicle registered for non-commercial purposes
and resides within a distance of twenty kilometers from the fee plaza is Rs.350.00(Rupees Three Hundred and Fifty
Only) for the year 2025-26 and is subject to revision every year as per the provisions of the said rules.
3. For multiple journeys on the highway section, passes shall be issued at the following rates, namely:-
Table-3
Amount Payable Maximum number of one way Period of validity
journeys allowed
One and one-half times of the fee for one way Two Twenty four hours from the time
journey of payment
Two-third of amount of the fee payable for Fifty One month from date of payment
fifty single journeys
4. Fee for commercial vehicle (excluding vehicles plying under National permit) registered in the district where
the fee plaza falls shall be 50% of the specified rate for that category of vehicle provided no service road or alternative
road is available for use of such commercial vehicles.
5. The driver or owner or a person in charge of a mechanical vehicle which is loaded in excess of permissible load
specified for its category, shall be liable to pay fee for entering the overloaded vehicle on the National Highway to the
fee collecting agency, equal to the fee specified in sub-rule 1A of rule 10 of the said rules, and shall not be entitled to
make use of the highway section unless the excess load has been removed from such mechanical vehicle.
6. All definitions including category of mechanical vehicles, its permissible load, category of exempted vehicles,
service road, alternative road, etc. shall be as per definitions specified in the said rules.
7. The fee rates shall be displayed for information of the users in accordance with rule 12 of the said rules.
8. Based on the base rate of fee per kilometer for the base year 2007-08 as mentioned in Table-1 above, the actual
amount of fee to be charged from the mechanical vehicles and the discounts will be calculated by the National Highways[भाग II—खण्ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5
Authority of India on the basis of the completed length of the section and revised annually in accordance with the rule
5 of the said rules and the same shall be published in at least one newspaper in English and vernacular language.
9. The estimated capital cost of the project is Rupees 333.36 Crore. The capital cost is subject to variation as the
activities of land acquisition, utility shifting, tree cutting, etc. are yet to be completed. The National Highways Authority
of India shall maintain a record of the recovery of capital cost through user fee realised.
[F. No. RO/Chennai/MoRTH/12014/NH-81/023/AP/2022-23/E-217200]
KAMLESH CHATURVEDI, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.