(1)The State Government may by notification, levy fee for use of any section of state highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel forming part of the state highway, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of these rules:Provided that the State Government may, by notification, exempt any section of state highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel constructed through a public funded project from levy of such fee or part thereof and subject to such conditions as may be specified in that notification.(2)The collection of fee levied under sub-rule (1), shall commence within thirty days from the date of completion of the section of state highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, constructed through a public funded project.(3)In case of private investment project, the collection of fee levied under sub-rule (1) shall commence in accordance with the terms of the agreement entered into by the concessionaire.(4)No fee shall be levied for the use of a section of state highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel as the case may be, by two wheelers, tractors without trailer, Tractor with trolley carrying non agricultural produce and animal drawn vehicles:Provided that tractors and animal-drawn vehicles shall not be allowed to use the section of state highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, where a service road or alternative road is available in lieu of the said state highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel:Provided further that where a service road or alternative road is available and the owner, driver or the person in charge of a two wheeler is making use of the section of state highway permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, he or she shall be charged fifty per cent of the fee levied on a car.Explanation. - For the purposes of this rule. - alternative road" means such other road, the carriageway of which is more than ten meters wide and the length of which does not exceed the corresponding length of such section of state highway by twenty per cent thereof; and"service road" means a road running parallel to a section of the state highway which provides access to the land adjoining such section of the state highway.(5)The fee notified by the State Government under these rules shall be rounded off and levied in a multiple of the nearest rupees five.
