From April 1, Ladhowal Toll Plaza to burn a hole in pocket of commuters

Ladhowal Toll Plaza, state’s costliest barrier, is again set to burn a hole in the pocket of commuters as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced to hike toll rates by 5 per cent from April 1.

Confirming the hike, senior manager Bipin said revised toll rates would be applicable from April 1. Ladhowal Toll Plaza had begun commercial operations on May 11, 2009.

After the announcement of hiked charges, there is a huge resentment among the commuters. Slamming the Central Government, they said instead of reducing toll charges, the NHAI announced another hike.

The people also blamed Ludhiana-based BJP leaders for failing to take up the issue with party high command. “The highway for which toll rates are being hiked is in dire straits. The entire stretch is full of potholes,” said aggrieved residents.

Ladhowal Toll Plaza currently ranks seventh in toll collection among 949 plazas operational across the country. Around Rs 300 crore toll was collected at Ladhowal during the last fiscal (2023-24), the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had confirmed.

In last five financial years, the authorities collected Rs 878.67 crore at Ladhowal Toll Plaza. This includes collection of Rs 296.37 crore in 2023-24, followed by Rs 247.47 crore in 2022-23, Rs 205.41 crore in 2019-20, Rs 74.07 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 55.35 crore in 2021-22. The low collections were attributed to lockdown imposed by the Centre in the wake of Covid-19.

At present, a car driver pays Rs 220 for one way and Rs 330 for the round trip, but with new rates kicking in on April 1, one way will cost Rs 230 and Rs 345 for the round trip.

User charges for a light vehicle are Rs 355 for one way and Rs 535 for round trip but now it will be Rs 370 and Rs 555, respectively.

Similarly, a truck driver pays Rs 745 for one way and Rs 1,120 for round trip, but now they will shell out Rs 775 and Rs 1,160, respectively. The rate of monthly pass will also increase accordingly.