Transport lobbies oppose steep hike in toll on Delhi-Agra highway

Transport lobbies oppose steep hike in toll on Delhi-Agra highwayThe sudden, steep increase in toll charges on the Delhi-Agra highway by concessionaire Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra) has attracted tough objections from transport lobbies.

R-Infra will soon widen the 165-kilometer Delhi-Agra stretch from four lanes to six, at an estimated cost of around Rs 2,945 crore, which includes renovation of 2 over passes, 14 vehicular underpasses, and 16 flyovers.

To collect funds, R-Infra increased toll at the Palwal plaza in Haryana from Rs 125 to Rs 265 for heavy trucks/buses, and to Rs 415 and Rs 505 for multi-axle trucks and multi-axle trailers respectively. The toll charges for cars have been hiked from Rs 35 to Rs 80.

Transport lobby Indian Foundation of Transport Research & Training (IFTRT) criticized the sudden increase in charges.

S. P. Singh, of IFTRT, said, "While converting a four-lane to six-lane stretch, the service on existing highway is likely to deteriorate because of the construction work and bypasses."

Singh also argued that nearly 70 per cent of the truck traffic on the highway comprises multi-axle vehicles.

Meanwhile, R-Infra claimed that the corridor would become capable of handling 70,000 vehicles per day once the highway is widened. Currently, it handles nearly 17,000 vehicles per day.