Publication of user fee notification

## Report on Amendment to National Highways Act Notification **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the Government of India's notification S.O. 1388(E) dated 19.06.2012, concerning toll plazas under the National Highways Act, 1956. The amendment, issued on October 12, 2022, specifically revises the location of a fee plaza on National Highway 18, shifting it from Km 168.300 to Km 181.250, near Patimeedapalli village in the YSR District of Andhra Pradesh. The amendment will take effect after the construction of the fee plaza at the new location. This report outlines the details of this change and its potential implications. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of the amendment notification S.O. 4866(E), issued on October 12, 2022, which modifies the original notification S.O. 1388(E) dated 19.06.2012, pertaining to toll plazas established under the National Highways Act, 1956. The analysis is based solely on the information provided in the official gazette notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * This report concerns an **amendment** to an existing policy. The original policy is defined by notification S.O. 1388(E), dated 19.06.2012. * **Core Objective(s) (inferred):** The original policy, presumably, established the location of various toll plazas. This amendment aims to adjust the location of at least one of those plazas. The overarching objective appears to be the management and collection of fees on National Highways as authorized by the National Highways Act, 1956. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment likely addresses a need to adjust the location of the fee plaza due to factors such as: * Changes in road alignment or construction. * Optimization of toll collection efficiency. * Addressing local concerns or logistical issues at the original location (Km 168.300). Without further context, the precise reasons for this specific relocation are speculative, but the shift suggests a practical need identified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section focuses specifically on the changes introduced by the amendment text: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment modifies the "Table under para 1 of Notes" within the original notification S.O. 1388(E). This table likely listed the locations of fee plazas. * **New Rule/Provision:** The new provision changes the Location of Fee Plaza Chainage from "Km 168.300 on NH18" to "Km. 181.250 of National Highway18 New NH40 at Patimeedapalii village of YSR District in Andhra Pradesh State." * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The primary effect is a relocation of the fee plaza approximately 12.95 kilometers (181.250 - 168.300) further along the National Highway, specifically near Patimeedapalli village. This changes where tolls will be collected and may affect traffic patterns and accessibility to the highway in the area. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The stakeholders directly affected by this amendment include: * **Road Users:** Those traveling on National Highway 18/40, especially in the vicinity of Patimeedapalli village, will experience a change in the location where tolls are collected. * **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** The NHAI is responsible for the construction and operation of the fee plaza at the new location. * **Local Residents and Businesses:** Those near both the original and the new toll plaza locations will be affected by changes in traffic flow and accessibility. * **Toll Operators:** The company/entity responsible for collecting tolls at this location will need to relocate their operations. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is ultimately responsible for this amendment. The NHAI is likely responsible for the physical relocation and construction of the new toll plaza. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment specifies that it will come into force *after* the construction of the fee plaza at the new location (Km 181.250). No specific timeline for construction is provided in this text. The construction itself needs to be completed for the amendment to take effect. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of toll collection, potentially due to changes in road conditions or traffic patterns. The impact of the change will primarily be felt by road users who will now encounter the toll plaza at a different location. The relocation may also have secondary impacts on local businesses and communities near both the old and new toll plaza locations. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment notification S.O. 4866(E) represents a specific adjustment to the location of a fee plaza on National Highway 18/40. The change shifts the toll collection point approximately 12.95 kilometers, placing it near Patimeedapalli village. This amendment highlights the ongoing management and optimization of the national highway network and its tolling infrastructure. The implementation hinges on the completion of the new toll plaza's construction.

Key Entities Referenced