Toll rates revised at Bharthana toll plaza from April 1, no change for cars

Toll charges at Vadodara’s Bharthana toll plaza on National Highway-48 will see a marginal increase from April 1, following the annual revision by the National Highways Authority. However, rates for cars and jeeps will remain unchanged.

Located near Bharthana village in Karjan taluka of Vadodara district, the toll plaza is among the highest revenue-generating points in Gujarat due to heavy vehicular movement on the Vadodara–Bharuch stretch of NH-48. Every year, toll rates are reviewed and revised from April 1, and this year too, the increase applies to all vehicle categories except cars and jeeps.

With the revised rates coming into effect, travel for commercial and heavy vehicles on this route will become costlier. Authorities have already initiated preparations at the toll plaza to implement the updated charges.

Despite generating significant revenue annually, the toll plaza reportedly lacks a functional weighing system to check overloaded vehicles. As per National Highways Authority norms, vehicles carrying load beyond the permitted limit are liable to pay up to ten times the applicable toll and are required to offload excess weight before proceeding.

However, sources indicate that such enforcement is not being implemented at the Bharthana toll plaza, as toll collection is currently based only on axle classification without verifying actual load. This could potentially result in revenue losses and gaps in compliance with prescribed regulations.