Toll charges have been increased on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) division officials have decided to increase the average per vehicle charges by 3.5 percent compared to last year. According to NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) regulations, tolls can be increased on April 1 of each year. 

As part of this, for the year 2022-23, the vehicles will be divided into six categories and the toll has been increased. With the latest hike, the toll charge will increase from 6 paise to 39 paise per kilometer. The hike has come into effect from Friday. Eagle Infra, which handles ORR maintenance, will pay Rs 415 crore a year to HMDA.

HGCL, which oversees the maintenance of the Outer Ring Road, has the option of increasing the toll charges to some extent per annum under the Nehru Outer Ring Road Toll Rules-2012 under G.O. No. 365 Clause 5. More than 1.30 lakh vehicles ply on the 158 km long ORR around the metropolis daily. All types of vehicles except two tyre and three tyre vehicles can travel on the ORR. Officials say traffic on the ORR has increased significantly now compared to the past. HMDA is carrying out various development works around the ORR in line with traffic congestion. Millions of seedlings are also being planted in the middle, on either side of the ORR to make the travel delightful. Their maintenance costs crores of rupees every year.