Jammu, Jan 26: The union government ‘very smartly’ shut Thandikhui Toll Plaza on Jammu- Pathankot National Highway while increasing the toll rate at Lakhankur, Kathua and Bann Toll Plaza Jammu.
“The influence length previously covered by Thandikhui has been redistributed among the existing Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas, thereby eliminating the need of Thandikhui Toll Plaza, in public interest,” said an official notification issued by Y P S Jadon, Project Director, National Highways Authority of India.
This decision comes following the issuance of Gazette Notification S.O.302 (E) by the central government on January 19, 2024.
“As of 8 am on January 26, toll collection at Thandikhui ceases, while toll adjustments have been made at Ban and Lakhanpur toll plazas,” the notifications reads. “This decision is a strategic move by NHAI to address the concerns surrounding the Thandikhui toll plaza and enhance the travel experience for commuters between Jammu, Samba, and Kathua.”
With the change, the NHAI has increased the toll fee at Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas and the revised user fee rates will come into effect from the morning of Friday, January 26.
At Lakhanpur toll plaza, the Light Motor Vehicles will now have to pay Rs 130 for single journey and Rs 195 for return journey, while the rate was Rs 100 and Rs 155 for single and return journey respectively till yesterday.
Similarly, Light Commercial Vehicles, Light Goods Carrier and Mini Buses will have to pay Rs 210 and Rs 315, which were earlier Rs 165 and Rs 250 for the same. The buses and trucks with 2 axles will have to shell out Rs 435 and Rs 655, for single and return journeys, respectively which was earlier Rs 345 and Rs 520, for single and return journeys, respectively. The three-axle commercial vehicles will now pay Rs 475 and Rs 715; the four-axle commercial vehicles including HCM, EME and MAV will shell out Rs 685 and Rs 1030; whereas the oversized vehicles (7 or more axle) would pay Rs 835 and 1250, for single and return journey, respectively. Till yesterday, rates for above category vehicles were Rs 375 and Rs 585; Rs 540 and Rs 815, Rs 660 and 990, for single and return journeys, respectively. (KNO)
