Using Hyderabad's Outer Ring Road (ORR) is costlier now, as the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided to hike its toll charges beginning from midnight on February 15.

Commuters who use the road, will now have to pay 50% more than they did earlier.

The rate for cars will increase to Rs 1.58 per km from the existing 1.05 per km, while the rate for mini-buses and other such larger commercial vehicles would go up from Rs 1.69 per km  to Rs 2.54 per km. 

Reports state that the hike was limited to 27% for heavy buses and trucks. 

This move comes in the backdrop of the HMDA being severely cash-strapped, and taking a further hit when it stopped collection for 23 days in between November and December, following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

According to reports, HMDA commissioner T Chiranjeevulu said that the new rates were based on amounts prescribed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for highway bypasses.

"ORR is an eight-lane access controlled expressway with paved shoulders, complete greenfield construction. Soon, an intelligent transport system will be introduced on the stretch for quick and safe travel," the commissioner had said earlier.

"The quality and cost of construction of ORR is much more than national highways. Commuters are only being charged for the actual distances they travel. Moreover, the Authority is planning to provide intelligent transport system and toll management system to ensure quick and safe travel," an HMDA official told the Times of India.

The authorities now plan to change all signboards, and update it with the new tariff.

They have also appealed to the public to cooperate with them when they implement the new rates.