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Assam: Bad news for Aam Aadmi; Toll Gate rates hiked, power tariff to also burn commoners’ pocket

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There’s no respite for the common man from surging prices of essentials and a higher cost of living. After the government’s move to increase prices of medicines, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will hike toll rates at toll plazas across Assam effective from April 1.

With a 10% hike in toll fees, vehicle owners will be forced to pay more than what they were paying with many people claiming that the hike in toll rates will upset their monthly budgets.

Revised toll rates have been fixed for the seven tol gates that are operational in Assam.

The Sonapur toll gate at Naziraghat will charge Rs 135 instead of the earlier Rs 125 from cars, vans, jeeps and light motor vehicles for a single journey while the toll rate for light goods vehicles, minibus and light commercial vehicles has been hiked from Rs 205 to Rupees 215 for a single journey. The toll rate for 2 axles trucks and buses has been increased from Rs 445 to Rs 455 for a single journey.

The Raha Toll Gate on the National Highway number 37 located in Khaigarh will now charge Rs 115 for cars, jeeps, vans, light motor vehicles from the Rs 110 vehicle owners of this segment were paying for a single journey.

The toll fee for light commercial vehicles and light goods vehicles has been increased from Rs 175 to Rs 185 for a single journey as per the revised toll tax. The fee has been increased from Rs 370 to Rs 390 for two axles buses and trucks at the Raha toll gate

The Madanpur Toll Gate at Baihata Road near Guwahati will charge Rs 130 from cars, jeeps, vans, light motor vehicles that pay Rs 125 at present for a single journey while the toll rate for light good vehicles, minibus and light commercial vehicles has been increased from Rs 205 to Rs 210 for a single journey. The toll rate for 2 axles trucks and buses has been increased from Rs 420 to Rs 440 for a single journey.

The Doboka Toll Gate in Nagaon will now charge Rs 95 from cars, jeeps, vans, light motor vehicles that earlier paid Rs 90 for a single journey while the toll tax has been increased from Rs 145 to Rs 150 for commercial vehicles, light goods vehicles for a single journey and it is increased from Rs 305 to Rs 320 for two axles buses and trucks.

In addition to the hike in toll rates, there are also reports of the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) recommending a hike in fixed charges by Rs 10/Kilowatt for all categories to improve recovery of fixed costs. The commission has, however, recommended a 1.2 per cent slash in power tariff, something which will be a much-needed breather for consumers.

However, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma rejected any move to hike the electricity tariff and said that AERC has in fact recommended a cut in power tariff.

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