Sarore Toll Plaza shut; rates hiked at Lakhanpur, Bann

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: The Union Government has shut Thandikhui (Sarore) Toll Plaza on Jammu- Pathankote National Highway.
“The influence length previously covered by Thandikhui has been redistributed among the existing Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas, thereby eliminating the need of Thandikhui Toll Plaza, in public interest,” Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, (NHAI) YPS Jadon announced in an order.
“Toll collection at Thandikhui ceases, while toll adjustments have been made at Ban and Lakhanpur toll plazas,” the notifications said. The decision will address the concerns surrounding the Thandikhui Toll Plaza and enhance the travel experience for commuters between Jammu, Samba and Kathua.
The NHAI has, however, increased the toll fee at Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas.
At Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, the Light Motor Vehicles will now have to pay Rs 130 for single journey and Rs 195 for return journey, while the rate was Rs 100 and Rs 155 for single and return journey respectively earlier.
Similarly, Light Commercial Vehicles, Light Goods Carrier and Mini Buses will have to pay Rs 210 and Rs 315, which were earlier Rs 165 and Rs 250 for the same. The buses and trucks with 2 axles will have to shell out Rs 435 and Rs 655, for single and return journeys, respectively which was earlier Rs 345 and Rs 520, for single and return journeys, respectively.
The three-axle commercial vehicles will now have to pay Rs 475 and Rs 715; the four-axle commercial vehicles including HCM, EME and MAV will shell out Rs 685 and Rs 1030; whereas the oversized vehicles (7 or more axle) would pay Rs 835 and 1250, for single and return journey, respectively. Earlier, the rates for above category vehicles were Rs 375 and Rs 585; Rs 540 and Rs 815, Rs 660 and 990, for single and return journeys, respectively.
Similarly, toll fee has also been hiked at Bann Toll Plaza. The Light Motor Vehicles will now have to pay Rs 170 for single journey and Rs 255 for return journey. Earlier, people had to pay Rs 165 for single journey and Rs 245 for return journey at Bann Toll Plaza. The Light Commercial Vehicles, Light Goods Carrier and Mini Buses will have to pay Rs 275 and Rs 410, and the buses and trucks with 2 axles will have to shell out Rs 570 and Rs 855, for single and return journey, respectively. Earlier Light Commercial Vehicles, Light Goods Carrier and Mini Buses were paying Rs 265 and Rs 400, and the buses and trucks with 2 axles were paying Rs 555 and Rs 835, for single and return journey, respectively.