Toll charges at the Uthandi and Kovalam toll booths on the East Coast Road (ECR) will be hiked from April 1. The revised charges will be applicable to all vehicles passing through the toll booths.
According to the new charges, car, jeep, van, and 3-wheelers between Akkarai and Mamallapuram will be charged Rs 47 for a one-way trip, Rs 70 for a return within a day, Rs 128 for multiple trips in a day, and a monthly fare of Rs. 2,721. For light commercial vehicles, rides in mini vans will cost Rs 75 for a one-way trip and Rs 113 for a one-day return trip.
Buses and two-wheeler goods vehicles will be charged Rs 157 for a one-way journey and Rs 236 for return within a day. Three-wheeler commercial vehicles will cost Rs 172 for one trip and Rs 258 for the same-day return. 4-wheeler and 6-wheeler freight vehicles will be charged Rs. 247 for a one-way journey and Rs. 370 for a return on the same day. Vehicles carrying construction goods (7 and extra wheelers) will be charged Rs 301 for a single journey and Rs 451 for a same-day round trip.
A monthly fee of Rs 240 will be charged for local cars to cross a toll booth, while the monthly fee for school buses will be Rs 1900.
The decision to hike toll charges has been taken to maintain and improve the infrastructure of the ECR. The toll hike is expected to generate revenue for the development and upkeep of the road.