Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9: The Toll Collection at the Fee Plaza on Jammu Ring Road, located at Dondpur village in Tehsil Mandal, District Jammu, commenced on 6th December 2024 at midnight (00:00 hrs).
This follows the notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, issued under S.O.3208 (E) dated 7th August 2024.
The information in this regard was provided by Regional Officer, NHAI, Jammu, in a press statement issued here today.
As per the statement issued, the 48 km stretch of the Jammu Ring Road between Raya Morh and Kot Bhalwal was provisionally completed as of 20th June 2024, out of the total 58 km of the road. The remaining works, including the construction of two twin tube tunnels between Kot Bhalwal and Jagti, are expected to be completed by June 2025. Traffic has already started on the Raya Morh to Kot Bhalwal stretch, with toll collection managed by an agency appointed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) since 11th October 2024.
The fee collection has been initiated after receiving the required safety clearances in consultation with the UT Administration, following the completion of safety measures as per established norms.
Additionally, facilities such as an ambulance, patrolling vehicle, and crane are available along the stretch of the project that has been provisionally completed.
The construction of the Jammu Ring Road project has involved a capital expenditure of approximately ?1900 Crore to date. The revenue generated from the toll collection will be deposited into the Consolidated Fund of India and used for further highway development, including upcoming projects in Jammu Division like the Samba-Mansar-Udhampur Highway, Satwari-Suchetgarh Highway and Phase 2 of the Jammu Ring Road.
To benefit the locals, the following toll discounts are being offered, local non-commercial vehicle users residing within 20 km from the toll plaza can avail of an unlimited monthly pass at a discounted rate of ?340.
Commercial vehicles registered within Jammu District (excluding those with national permits) are eligible for a 50% discount on toll rates, available through Fastag after registration at the toll plaza.
Half of the toll fee will be charged automatically for return journeys within 24 hours through Fastag.
This initiative aims to ease the travel for local commuters and contribute to the continued development of highway infrastructure in the region.