Travelling on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway has become costlier as car owners will be shelling out ₹70 as toll at the two booths that will become operational at 8am on Friday.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has set up two toll plazas — one at Azizgarh between Zirakpur and Rajpura and the other at Dhareri Jattan between Rajpura and Patiala — on this 50-km stretch.
A trial run was conducted on Thursday to check the flow of traffic. Harpal Singh Sandhu, sub-divisional officer (SDO) of the public works department (PWD)’s central division, said all glitches have been cleared and the department will hand over the road to the NHAI on June 1.
“At both toll booths, cars and other light motor vehicles have to pay ₹35 each for one way,” said NHAI project director KL Sachdeva.
₹140 for two-way journey
However, for two-way journey, if the return is within 24 hours, the toll will cost ₹110 instead of ₹140. Also, those residing within 20km from any toll plaza can get a monthly pass for non-commercial vehicles for ₹255.
The four-laning project on this stretch has missed several deadlines. The road connects Chandigarh to the Malwa belt of Punjab, including Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda and Fazilka districts, besides parts of Haryana, such as Sirsa, and will reduce the travel time considerably.
{{/usCountry}}The four-laning project on this stretch has missed several deadlines. The road connects Chandigarh to the Malwa belt of Punjab, including Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda and Fazilka districts, besides parts of Haryana, such as Sirsa, and will reduce the travel time considerably.
{{/usCountry}}Two toll booths under HC scanner
Meanwhile, the NHAI’s decision to establish two toll plazas on the stretch is under the Punjab and Haryana high court scanner. A high court lawyer has challenged it, arguing that the decision violates NHAI rules of having a minimum distance of 60km between two toll plazas.
The HC had issued a notice to the NHAI on May 9. The next date of hearing is July 10.