Section 7. Fees for services or benefits rendered on national highways

7. Fees for services or benefits rendered on national highways.— (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, levy fees at such rates as may be laid down by rules made in this behalf for services or benefits rendered in relation to the use of ferries,[1] [permanent bridges the 1. Ins. by Act 30 of 1977, s. 2 (w.e.f. 12-8-1977). cost of construction of each of which is more than rupees twenty-five lakhs and which are opened to traffic on or after the 1st day of April, 1976,] temporary bridges and tunnels on national highways[1] [and the use of sections of national highways]. (2) Such fees when so levied shall be collected in accordance with the rules made under this Act. (3) Any fee leviable immediately before the commencement of this Act for services or benefits rendered in relation to the use of ferries, temporary bridges and tunnels on any highway specified in the Schedule shall continue to be leviable under this Act unless and until it is altered in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1): 2[Provided that if the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, it may, by like notification, specify any bridge in relation to the use of which fees shall not be leviable under this sub-section.] 8 . [ Agreements with State Governments or municipalities .] Omitted by the National Highways Laws (Amendment) Act , 1997 (16 of 1997), s . 4 ( w.e.f . 24-1-1997). 3 [ 8A. Power of Central Government to enter into agreements for development and maintenance of national highways.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central Government may enter into an agreement with any person in relation to the development and maintenance of the whole or any part of a national highway. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 7, the person referred to in sub-section (1) is entitled to collect and retain fees at such rate, for services or benefits rendered by him as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify having regard to the expenditure involved in building, maintenance, management and operation of the whole or part of such national highway, interest on the capital invested, reasonable return, the volume of traffic and the period of such agreement. (3) A person referred to in sub-section (1) shall have powers to regulate and control the traffic in accordance with the provisions contained in Chapter VIII of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988) on the national highway forming subject-matter of such agreement, for proper management thereof.