J&K highways generate Rs 1800 cr in toll taxes

Srinagar, Nov 28: The toll collection from national highways in Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed Rs 1,800 crore, with the Bann Toll Plaza recording the highest revenue.
This was stated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Jairam Gadkari while sharing the details in Parliament on toll collection across the Country.
Gadkari said that the revenue has been generated from toll plazas across key highways in the UT. The Lakhanpur National Highway (NH44), which is the main entry point to Jammu and Kashmir, contributed Rs 348.05 crore to the total toll revenue. The Bann Toll Plaza on NH44 recorded the highest collection at Rs 626.90 crore.
Other significant contributors include the Mada-Nashri Toll Plaza on the Udhampur-Ramban section, which collected Rs 270.98 crore, and the Lamber & Ujroo Toll Plaza, which generated Rs 227.85 crore. The Kaichachkoot User Fee Plaza collected Rs 328.86 crore in toll fees.
Gadkari also said that toll collection begins within 45 days after the completion of each highway section. For privately funded projects, user fees are collected as per agreements with concessionaires, following the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, and subsequent amendments.
In response to another question, Gadkari provided details about the construction costs of key highways in Jammu and Kashmir, which totaled Rs 13,813.42 crore.
He said that the Pathankot-Jammu (NH44) section was built at a cost of Rs 895.75 crore, while the Kunjwani-Jakhain section of NH44 cost Rs 2,086.67 crore.
The Udhampur-Ramban-Maroog section was constructed for Rs 7,782 crore, the Banihal-Qazigund section for Rs 1,947 crore, and the Srinagar-Qazigund section for Rs 1,101 crore, he added.