The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the levy of a user fee for the use of the Kawardha to Simga section of National Highway number 30 (erstwhile NH-12A) in the State of Chhattisgarh. The fee collection is authorized under the National Highways Act, 1956, and will be managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The fee is calculated at 60 percent of the specified base rate for the use of the two-lane section with paved shoulders. The measure applies to the 71.093 kilometer stretch from design kilometer 245.375 to kilometer 316.468 (erstwhile km 246.849 to km 317.406).
Fee Plaza Location and Fee Calculation
The fee will be due and payable at the Fee Plaza located at Km 285.012 of NH-30 (erstwhile NH-12A) near village Baiji in Bemetara district of Chhattisgarh.
The levy is composed of two parts: the net road section length and the equivalent structure length:
- The fee applies to a net road section length of 66.378 kilometers (excluding structures longer than 60 meters).
- An additional fee applies for the use of structures (Major Bridge) having a length of 0.341 kilometers. This length is converted into an equivalent road length of 3.41 kilometers by applying an equalization factor of 10.
- The fee levied is 60 percent of the base rates specified in the official table (Table 1), with varying rates per kilometer based on the vehicle category (e.g., Car, Jeep, Van: 0.65 rupees per kilometer; Bus or Truck (Two Axles): 2.20 rupees per kilometer).
Monthly Passes and Penalties
The notification establishes fee rates for local users and penalties for overloading:
- Local Monthly Pass: The rate for a monthly pass for non-commercial vehicles registered to a person residing within 20 kilometers of the fee plaza is set at Rs 340 for the year 2025-26. This rate is subject to annual revision.
- Commercial Vehicle Discount: Commercial vehicles registered in the district where the fee plaza falls are eligible for a 50 percent discount on the specified rate, provided no service road or alternative road is available for their use.
- Multiple Journey Passes: Passes for multiple journeys are available, such as fifty single journeys for two-thirds of the amount payable for fifty single journeys, valid for one month.
- Overloaded Vehicles: The driver or owner of a mechanical vehicle loaded in excess of the permissible limit shall be liable to pay a fee equal to the fee specified in the rules, and must remove the excess load before being entitled to use the highway section.
The estimated capital cost of the project is Rs 366.96 crore, which is subject to variation as land acquisition and utility shifting activities are completed.