The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has ruled out conducting any audit on toll plazas regarding the funds invested versus revenue collected. In response to a query from DMK MP P Wilson in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari clarified that toll collection on National Highways is a continuous process with no plans to reduce or eliminate toll fees once a certain amount has been recovered.
Toll Collection Rules and Government Policy
Gadkari explained that toll charges, now termed “user fees,” are levied in accordance with the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. Under these regulations, the fee remains applicable throughout the concession period, after which the government or its agencies take over toll collection. In the case of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects, once the concession period ends, the toll plazas are handed over to the government, which continues to collect the user fee. Additionally, toll rates are revised annually.
Ongoing Highway Projects in Tamil Nadu
Responding to concerns about infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu, Gadkari stated that 48 projects covering a total of 1,046.84 km, with an investment of ₹38,359.25 crore, are currently in progress. These projects are expected to be completed in phases by February 2027. However, delays have been caused by land acquisition issues, environmental clearances, shifting of utilities, heavy rainfall, and other logistical challenges.
This explanation reinforces the government’s stance that toll collection will remain a long-term policy to support highway infrastructure maintenance and development.
