The days of free freight transport on Bihar’s roads are over: Survey of 50 major roads and 45 bridges completed for toll tax collection.

Amidst the revolutionary changes taking place in the country’s infrastructure and transportation system, now a very big and important news related to Bihar is coming out, which is going to have a direct impact on the pockets of the drivers, transporters and general public of the state. Now the days of free driving and carrying goods are about to end on the roads of Bihar. The government has taken a major step to mobilize financial resources to modernize and maintain the state’s transport and road construction network. Detailed traffic and feasibility survey of total 50 major roads and 45 major bridges in different parts of Bihar has been successfully completed. The completion of this survey directly means that in the coming time, passengers and goods vehicles traveling on these selected routes will have to pay toll tax. For this, a new rate list is being prepared at the administrative level on the basis of categories of vehicles, once implemented, a major change will be seen in the road transport scenario of the state.

After completion of the survey, preparations for setting up toll plaza now in full swing

Under this scheme run by the State Government and Road Development Corporation, all those important routes have been identified where the traffic pressure is highest. The 50 roads and 45 bridges that have come under the scope of the survey recently are considered very important from the business and economic point of view of the state. There is movement of heavy commercial vehicles, trucks, buses and private cars on these roads day and night. It has been made clear in the survey report that to meet the huge expenditure on construction, widening and timely maintenance of these roads, it has become mandatory to collect user fee or toll tax. After the completion of the survey work, now in the next phase, the process of construction of toll plazas, modern digital toll collection system (Fastag System) and installation of barricades has been started rapidly at these places.

Increased concern of transporters and common drivers, eyes fixed on new rate list

As soon as the news became public that toll tax will now be collected on dozens of roads and bridges in Bihar, there has been a wave of concern among transport unions, bus drivers and common vehicle owners. Transporters believe that the cost of transportation has already increased a lot due to rising prices of diesel-petrol and expensive spare parts, and in such a situation, if toll tax has to be paid on every second route, it will have a direct impact on the prices of daily consumption items and goods sold in the market. However, the government is arguing that the revenue from toll will be completely used to keep the roads pothole-free, develop modern safety facilities and ease the traffic. Now everyone’s eyes are on how much fee is fixed for which vehicle category in the new rate list released by the government.

Its impact on Bihar’s economy and road transport infrastructure

The economic progress of any state depends on how strong its road network and connectivity is. Over the past few years, a vast network of expressways, four-lanes and large bridges have been laid within Bihar, connecting remote areas with the capital Patna and other big cities. Keeping these infrastructures safe and of high quality over the long term requires a sustainable financing model. Implementation of the toll tax system will not only reduce the financial burden on the government, but there will also be no delay in the maintenance of roads. Experts say that in the initial phase the drivers will definitely feel some financial burden, but in the long run this will improve the condition of the roads and the travel time will reduce to a great extent.

Travel will be expensive for the general public but better facilities will be available

In the coming days, when toll collection will officially start on these 50 roads and 45 bridges of Bihar, people will have to loosen their purse strings. But in return they are expected to get world class road facilities, uninterrupted traffic and strong security arrangements. The government and concerned departments are working to ensure that the toll collection process is completely transparent and digital, so that drivers do not have to stand in long queues. This era of free travel on the roads of Bihar is now about to end, and the state is rapidly moving towards a new modern and well-organized transport system.