## Policy Analysis Report: National Highway Fee Determination - Ralegaon to Sirasgaon to Vadner Section (NH-361B, Maharashtra)
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, concerning the levy of fees on mechanical vehicles for using the two-lane paved shoulder section of National Highway 361B (Ralegaon to Sirasgaon to Vadner section) in Maharashtra. The core purpose, based on the text, is to authorize the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to collect user fees for this specific road section. Key findings include the fee structure based on vehicle type and road length, provisions for monthly passes, and considerations for overloaded vehicles and commercial vehicles registered within the district. The policy also addresses the method of calculating and revising fee amounts and the handling of toll collection until the capital cost of the project is recovered.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the notification published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding fee collection on the Ralegaon to Sirasgaon to Vadner section of National Highway 361B in Maharashtra. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to levy and collect fees from users of the specified section of National Highway 361B to recover the capital cost of the project and facilitate its maintenance. This is achieved by:
* Defining the fee structure for different vehicle types.
* Authorizing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to collect fees.
* Establishing the location of fee plazas.
* Defining a method for calculating toll rates and revising the same over time.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* **New Policy:** The policy addresses the need for a funding mechanism to maintain and improve national highways. It appears the government has invested in improving this particular section of NH-361B (adding paved shoulders) and is now establishing a user-fee system to recoup costs and ensure ongoing maintenance. The initial entrustment of the National Highway to the State Government of Maharashtra per S.O. 4006E dated 6th November 2019 is a precursor, implying this federal action is to address the issue of cost recovery of capital improvements.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
* **Fee Structure:** The notification establishes a fee structure based on vehicle type and the length of the highway used. Specific rates are provided for the base year 2007-08, and these rates are to be adjusted annually.
* Table 1 specifies the base rate of fee per km for different vehicle categories, including cars, light commercial vehicles, buses, trucks, and heavy machinery.
* Table 2 specifies the location of the Fee Plaza chainage and length in km for which the rate is applicable.
* Table 3 specifies how the length of longer structures are to be converted to equivalent road length for determining the toll rate. The equalisation factor for structures having length more than 60m at the following fee plaza.
* **Fee Plaza Location:** The fee plaza is located between kilometer 10.700 to 10.850 of National Highway 361B near Taluka Hinganghat in District Wardha in the State of Maharashtra.
* **Monthly Passes:** A monthly pass is available for non-commercial vehicles owned by residents within 20 kilometers of the fee plaza at a discounted rate (Rs. 275.00 for 2020-21).
* **Discounts for Multiple Journeys:** The policy outlines discounts for multiple journeys, providing options for 24-hour and monthly passes.
* **Commercial Vehicle Concessions:** Commercial vehicles registered in the district of the fee plaza receive a 50% reduction in fees if no service road or alternative road is available. Vehicles registered under national permit do not benefit from this fee reduction.
* **Overloaded Vehicles:** Overloaded vehicles are subject to additional fees as per Rule 10 1A and are not permitted to use the highway section until the excess load is removed.
* **Annual Revision:** The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for annually revising the fee amounts based on completed length of the section and in accordance with the rules.
* **Fee Reduction Post Capital Cost Recovery:** The fee leviable shall be reduced to 40% of the rates after the recovery of capital cost, and shall be revised annually in accordance with the said rules.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience and stakeholders include:
* **Vehicle Owners:** All owners of mechanical vehicles using the Ralegaon to Sirasgaon to Vadner section of NH-361B, particularly those residing near the fee plaza.
* **Commercial Vehicle Operators:** Trucking companies and other businesses relying on commercial transport along this route, particularly those registered in the same district as the fee plaza.
* **Residents near the Fee Plaza:** Non-commercial vehicle owners residing within a 20 km radius.
* **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):** The entity responsible for collecting and managing the user fees and ensuring the maintenance of the highway.
* **The Government of Maharashtra:** Since the National Highway was previously entrusted to them.
* **Local businesses:** Businesses in the local area who may be affected by increased costs of transportation.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency:** The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is the primary body responsible for implementing this policy, including fee collection, rate calculation, and communication.
* **Timelines:** The policy indicates an annual revision of fee rates.
* **Procedures:** The notification refers to existing "Rules" (National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008) that govern the specifics of fee determination, collection, and dispute resolution. It also refers to the display of fee rates to inform users.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* The intended outcome is to generate revenue to cover the cost of maintaining and improving the Ralegaon to Sirasgaon to Vadner section of NH-361B.
* Potential impact includes:
* Increased transportation costs for vehicle owners and businesses using the highway.
* Possible economic impact on local businesses relying on transportation.
* Improved highway maintenance and infrastructure due to the availability of funds.
* Potential for disputes related to fee collection or vehicle classifications.
* Potential increase in the use of alternative roads, where available, particularly by commercial vehicles.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification outlines the establishment of a user-fee system for the Ralegaon to Sirasgaon to Vadner section of National Highway 361B. It provides a framework for fee collection, establishes a fee structure, and assigns responsibility to the National Highways Authority of India. The policy is significant as it aims to ensure the financial sustainability of maintaining and improving this important transportation corridor. The economic impact of this policy, both positive and negative, warrants further analysis.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for road transport and highways.
National Highways Act, 1956: An Indian law that provides for the declaration of certain highways as national highways and for matters connected therewith.
Central Government: The federal government of India.
National Highway 361B: A national highway in India, specifically the section situated in the State of Maharashtra
State Government of Maharashtra: The government of the state of Maharashtra in India.
National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008: Rules governing the determination of rates and collection of fees on national highways.
National Highways Authority of India: An autonomous agency of the Government of India responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways in India.
Ralegaon: A location on the National Highway 361B in the State of Maharashtra.
Sirasgaon: A location on the National Highway 361B in the State of Maharashtra.
Vadner: A location on the National Highway 361B in the State of Maharashtra.
Hinganghat: A Taluka in Wardha District, Maharashtra, near which a fee plaza is located.
Wardha: A district in Maharashtra, India where a fee plaza is located.
Amit Varadan: Joint Secretary in the Government of India
रजजस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-10032021-225767
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CG-DL-E-10032021-225767
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1010] नई ददल्ली, बधु वार, माच ग10, 2021/फाल्ग नु 19, 1942
No. 1010] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021/PHALGUNA 19, 1942
सड़क पररवहन और राजमाग गमत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई ददल्ली, 9 माच,ग 2021
का.आ. 1098(अ).—भारत सरकार की अजधसूचना द्वारा सड़क पररवहन और राजमागग मत्रं ालय म ें अजधसूचना
संख्या का. आ. 4006(अ), ददनांदकत 6 नवंबर, 2019, राष्ट्रीय राजमागग अजधजनयम, 1956 (1956 का 48) की धारा
5 के तहत जारी, केंद्र सरकार ने महाराष्टर राज्य म ें जस्ट् थत राष्टर ीय राजमागग स.ं 361बी को महाराष्टर राज्य सरकार को
सुपुद ग कर ददया ह।ै
अत: अब, राष्टर ीय राजमागग फीस (दरों का जनधारग ण और संग्रहण) जनयम, 2008 (जो इसके आग े ‘‘जनयम’’ के रूप
में उजल्ल जखत ह)ै के जनयम 3 के साथ परित राष्ट्रीय राजमाग ग अजधजनयम, 1956 (1956 का 48) की धारा 7 द्वारा प्रदत् त
िजत यों का प्रयोग करते हुए, केन्द द्रीय सरकार, एतदद्वारा महाराष्टर राज्य म ें राष्टर ीय राजमागग स.ं 361बी के रालेगांव स े
जसरसागावं स े वडनेर खंड के जडजाइन दकमी 0.000 स े दकमी 27.199 तक के पेव् ड िोल् डर सजहत दो लेन के उपयोग के
जलए 23.809 दकमी जनवल सड़क खंड और 1.02 दकमी [0.102 दकमी की लंबाई) (60 मीटर स े अजधक की लंबाई वाले)
की समतुल् य संरचना के जलए ताजलका 1 के कॉलम (2) म ें जवजनर्ददष्ट ट दर के 60 प्रजतित पर नीच े दी गई ताजलका 1 के
कॉलम (1) म ें जवजनर्ददष्ट ट वाहनों के प्रकार पर फीस उदगृहीत करती ह ैतथा भारतीय राष्टर ीय राजमागग प्राजधकरण को उसके
अजधकाररयों अथवा दकसी िेकेदार के माध् यम स े उत फीस के संग्रहण के जलए प्राजधकृत करती ह,ै अथागत:्-
1475 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
ताजलका-1
वाहन का प्रकार आधार वर् ग 2007-08 के जलए प्रजत दकमी
आधार फीस दर (रु. म)ें
(1) (2)
कार, जीप, वैन या हल् के मोटर वाहन 0.65
हल्के वाजणजज्य क वाहन, हल्के माल वाहन या जमनी बस 1.05
बस या रक (दो धुरी) 2.20
तीन धरु ी वाजणजज्य क वाहन 2.40
भारी जनमागण मिीनरी (एचसीएम) या अथग मूववग उपस्ट् कर (ईएमई) या बहु 3.45
धुरीय वाहन (एमएवी) (चार स े छ: धुरी)
जविाल आकार के वाहन (सात या अजधक धरु ी) 4.20
1. इसके अंतगतग उदगृहीत और संगृहीत फीस ऐसे पथकर प् लाजा के अंतगतग जवजनर्ददष्ट ट दरू ी हते ु जनम्न जलजखत पथकर
प् लाजा म ें दये और संदेय होगी:-
ताजलका-2
लबं ाई (दकमी म)ें जजसके
पथकर प्ल ाजा (चनै जे ) की अवजस्ट्थ जत दर, जजस पर फीस सदं ेय ह ै।
जलए फीस सदं ेय ह ै
महाराष्टर राज्य म ें वधा ग जजल े म ें तालुका वहगनघाट के पेव् ड िोल्ड र सजहत दो लने के जलए
जनकट रारा-361बी के राष्ट्रीय राजमाग ग के दकमी 23.809 ऊपर ताजलका-1 म ें उजल् लजखत आधार
10.700 स े दकमी 10.850 पर दरों का 60%
2. उपयुग त के अजतररत , जनम्न जलजखत टोल प् लाजा पर 60 मीटर स े अजधक लंबाई वाली जनम्न जलजखत अवसंरचनाओं
के उपयोग के जलए 10 के समतल्ु य गुणक द्वारा ऐसी अवसंरचनाओं की लंबाई को गणु ा करके राजमागग की समतुल् य लंबाई म ें
अवसंरचनाओं की लंबाई को पररवर्ततत करके जनम्न जलजखत फीस भी दये और संदेय होगी:-
ताजलका-3
समतल्ु य सड़क लबं ाई म ेंपररवर्ततत
समतल्ु य सड़क
दकए जान े के जलए
पथकर प्ल ाजा की अवजस्ट्थ जत (चनै जे ) लबं ाई (दकमी दर, जजस पर फीस सदं ेय ह ै
अवसरं चनाओं* की लबं ाई (दकमी
म)ें
म)ें
महाराष्टर राज्य म ें वधा ग जजले म ें तालुका पेव् ड िोल्ड र सजहत दो लने के
वहगनघाट के जनकट रारा-361बी के जलए ऊपर ताजलका-1 म ें
0.102 दकमी 1.020
राष्ट्रीय राजमाग ग के दकमी 10.700 स े उजल् लजखत आधार दरों
दकमी 10.850 पर का 60%
* 60 मी स े अजधक लंबाई की सरं चना का ब् यौरा जनम्न ानुसार ह:ै-[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का राजपत्र : असाधारण 3
क्र. स.ं चनै जे सरं चना का प्रकार लबं ाई (दकमी) समतल्ु य सड़क लबं ाई (दकमी म)ें
दकमी स े दकमी तक
1 दकमी 17.239 दकमी 17.341 बड़ी संरचना 0.102 दकमी 1.020
3. गैर-वाजणजज्य क प्रयोजनों के जलए पंजीकृत यांजत्रक वाहन के स्ट् वामी और पथकर प्ल ाजा स े बीस दकमी की दरू ी के
भीतर जनवास करने वाले व् यजत के जलए माजसक पास की दर वर्ग 2020-21 के जलए 275.00 रु. (दो सौ पछत् तर रुपए
मात्र) ह ैऔर उत जनयमों के प्रावधानों के अनुसार प्रजतवर् ग संिोधन के अध् यधीन ह।ै
4. राजमागग खडं पर बहुल यात्राओं के जलए जनम्न जलजखत दरों पर पास जारी दकए जाएगं ,े अथागत्:-
ताजलका-4
भगु तान-योग्य धनराजि अनमु त एकतरफा यात्राओं की वधै ता की अवजध
अजधकतम सख्ं य ा
एकतरफा यात्रा के जलए फीस का डेढ़ गुना दो भुगतान के समय स े
चौबीस घंटे
पचास एकल यात्राओं के जलए भुगतान-योग् य फीस की पचास भुगतान की तारीख स े एक
महीना
राजि का दो-जतहाई
5. फीस प्ल ाजा जस्ट् थत होने वाले जजल े म ें पंजीकृत वाजणजज्य क वाहनों (राष्टर ीय परजमट के अधीन प्रचाजलत दकए जा रह े
वाहनों को छोड़कर) के जलए फीस उस श्रेणी के वाहन हते ु जनधागररत दर की 50% होगी, बिते दक ऐसे वाजणजज्य क वाहनों
के प्रयोग के जलए कोई सर्तवस रोड या वैकजल् पक सड़क उपलब्ध न हों।
6. संबंजधत श्रेणी के वाहनों के जलए जवजनर्ददष्ट ट अनज्ञु ेय भार स े अजधक भार लद े यांजत्रक वाहन का चालक या स्ट् वामी या
प्रभारी व् यजत , राष्ट्रीय राजमागग पर अजतभार लद े वाहन के प्रवेि के जलए टोल संग्रहण एजेंसी को ऐसी श्रेणी के वाहनों के
प्रवेि जलए, कजथत जनयमों के जनयम 10 (1ए) के अनुसार अनुप्रयोज्य फीस के समतुल् य फीस का भुगतान करने के जलए
उत् तरदायी होगा और वह राजमागग खंड का प्रयोग करने के जलए तब तक हकदार नहीं होगा जब तक ऐस े यांजत्रक वाहन स े
लदा अजतभार हटाया नहीं जाता।
7. सभी पररभार्ाए,ं यांजत्रक वाहनों की श्रेणी, इनके अनज्ञु ेय भार, छूट प्राप् त वाहनों की श्रणे ी, सर्तवस रोड, वैकजल् पक
सड़क इत् यादद पूवोत जनयमों म ें जवजनर्ददष्ट ट पररभार्ाओं के अनुरूप होंगी।
8. फीस की दरें उक्त जनयमों के जनयम 12 के अनुसरण म ेंप्रयोत ाओं के सूचनाथग प्रदर्तित करनी होंगी।
9. यांजत्रक वाहनों स े फीस की वास्ट् तजवक राजि उपयुग त ताजलका-1 म ें यथा-उजल् लजखत आधार वर् ग 2007-08 के जलए
प्रजत दकमी फीस की आधार दर के आधार पर प्रभाररत होगी और छूटों की गणना भारतीय राष्ट्रीय राजमाग ग प्राजधकरण
द्वारा खंड की पूरी हो गई लंबाई के आधार पर की जाएगी और उसे उत जनयमों के जनयम 5 के अनुसार प्रजत वर्ग संिोजधत
दकया जाएगा तथा तदनुसार उसे अंग्रेजी और क्षेत्रीय भार्ा के कम से कम एक-एक समाचार पत्र म ें प्रकाजित दकया जाएगा।
10. इस पररयोजना की प्राक जलत पूंजीगत लागत 210.81 करोड़ रु. ह ै । भूजम अजधग्रहण, सावगजजनक जन
सुजवधाओं के स्ट्थ ानांतरण, पेड़ों को काटन,े आदद कायगकलापों को अभी परू ा दकया जाना ह ै इसजलए, पूंजीगत लागत
पररवतगन के अध् यधीन ह ै और अंजतम पूंजीगत लागत को पृथक रूप स े अजधसूजचत दकया जाएगा। प्राप् त प्रयोत ा फीस के
माध् यम स े वसूल की गई पूंजीगत लागत का भारतीय राष्ट्रीय राजमागग प्राजधकरण द्वारा ररकाडग रखा जाएगा तथा पूंजीगत
लागत की वसूली के पश् चात् उदग्राह्य फीस घटाकर दरों के 40% तक कर दी जाएगी और कजथत जनयमों के अनुसरण म ें
वार्तर्क रूप स े संिोजधत की जाएगी।
[फा. सं. आरओ/एमयूएम/पी-1108/2016-17]
अजमत वरदान, संयु त सजचव4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 9th March, 2021
S.O. 1098(E).—Whereas by notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways number S.O. 4006(E) dated 6th November, 2019, issued under Section 5 of the National Highways Act,
1956 (48 of 1956), the Central Government has entrusted the National Highway 361B as situated in the State of
Maharashtra to the State Government of Maharashtra.
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 on mechanical vehicles at 60%
of the rate specified in column (2) of the Table 1 below for net road section length of 23.809 km and for equivalent
structure length (having more than 60 m length) of 1.02 km (having length of 0.102 km) on the type of vehicles
specified in column (1) of the table 1 below for the use of two lane with paved shoulders of Ralegaon to Sirasgaon to
Vadner section from design kilometre 0.000 to kilometre 27.199 of National Highway Number 361B in the State of
Maharashtra 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 0.65
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 levied and collected hereunder shall be due and payable at the following Fee Plaza for net road
length specified for such Fee Plaza:
Table 2
Location of Fee Plaza (chainage) Length (in km) for which Rate at which fee is payable
Fee is payable
At km 10.700 to Km 10.850 of National 23.809 60% for two lane with paved shoulder, of
Highway 361B near Taluka Hinganghat in the base rates mentioned in Table-1
District Wardha in the State of Maharashtra. above
2. In addition to above, the following fee shall also be due and payable for the use of the following structures
having length more than 60 m at the following fee plaza, by converting the length of structures into an equivalent
length of highway by multiplying the length of such structures by an equalisation
factor of 10.
Table 3
Location of Toll Plaza Length of structures (in km) to Equivalent Rate at which fee is payable
(chainage) be converted into equivalent Road length
road length (in km)
At km 10.700 to Km. 10.850 of 0.102 km * 1.020 60% for two lane with paved
National Highway 361B near shoulder, of the base rates
Taluka Hinganghat in District mentioned in Table-1 above.
Wardha in the State of
Maharashtra.
* The details of structures more than 60m length are as under:[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का राजपत्र : असाधारण 5
S. No. Chainage Type of Structure Length (km) Equivalent Road length(in km)
From To
1 Km 17.239 Km 17.341 Major Structure 0.102 km 1.020
3. 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 kilometres from the fee plaza is Rs. 275.00 (Rupees Two Hundred
Seventy Five only) for the year 2020-21 and is subject to revision every year as per the provisions of the said rules.
4. For multiple journeys on the highway section, passes shall be issued at the following rates, namely:
Table 4
Maximum number of one way
Amount Payable Period of validity
journeys allowed
One and half times of the fee for one way Two Twenty four hours from the time of
journey payment
Two-third of amount of the fee payable Fifty One month from date of payment
for fifty single journeys
5. Fee for commercial vehicle (excluding vehicles plying under National permit) registered in the
district where the fee plaza falls shall be 50% of the prescribed rate for that category of vehicle provided no
service road or alternative road is available for use of such commercial vehicles.
6. 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, as per Rule 10 (1A) 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.
7. 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 rules.
8. The fee rates shall be displayed for information of the users in accordance with rules 12 of the said
rules.
9. Based on the base rate of fee per Km 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 Authority of India on the basis of the completed length of the section and revised
annually in accordance with the rules 5 of the said rules and the same shall be published in at least one
newspaper, each in English and vernacular language accordingly.
10. The estimated capital cost of the project is Rupees 210.81 Crore. The capital cost is subject to
variation as the activities of land acquisition, utility shifting, tree cutting, etc. are yet to be completed and
the final capital cost will be notified separately. The National Highways Authority of India shall maintain a
record of the recovery of capital cost through user fee realised and after recovery of the capital cost, the fee
leviable shall be reduced to 40% of the rates and shall be revised annually in accordance with the said rules.
[F. No. RO/MUM/P-1108/2016-17]
AMIT VARADAN, 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.