Commuters will now have to pay a toll tax while driving down the six-lane Agra-Lucknow Expressway. The toll charges for vehicles using the route was made effective from midnight on Friday, 19 January.
The Uttar Pradesh government spokesperson has said that the charges will differ based on the vehicles and will be applicable on travel from both sides.
The Agra-Lucknow expressway is known for its 3.3 kilometre airstrip which the defence aircraft uses as a runway during emergency.
The rates have been fixed at Rs 570 for car, jeep, van or light motor vehicles. It is Rs 905 for light commercial vehicles or mini buses, Rs 1,815 for buses and trucks, Rs 2,785 for heavy construction work machines and multi-axle vehicles (3 to 6) and Rs 3,575 for over-sized vehicles (7 and above axles).State government spokesperson
The spokesperson also said that since the Agra-Lucknow Expressway is just 302-kilometre long, travelling by this road costs less because of less consumption of fuel, and it saves time.
President, PM, Other Dignitaries Exempted
The decision to levy toll tax was taken in a high-level meeting in Lucknow last week. Justifying more tax for Agra-Lucknow Expressway as compared to the Lucknow-Kanpur-Agra National Highway, an official of the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), explained that total distance covered by the national highway is 364 km and toll is Rs 390.
Dignitaries like the President, Prime Minister, governors, chief ministers, MPs, legislators, judges and Padma Award winners have been spared.
The UPEIDA has built nine police stations to keep passengers safe during their journey. Besides, the ‘Dial 100’ police interceptors and ambulances will also be made available for 24 hours along the highway.
The authorities have also decided to offer tea to truck and bus drivers travelling at night to keep them awake during their journey.
(With inputs from Economic Times and Indian Express.)
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