Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday that the government will soon introduce a revised toll policy for national highways, aiming to provide reasonable concessions to commuters.
Need for Toll Charges
Responding to queries in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari emphasized that the government is making significant investments in road infrastructure, necessitating toll collection.
“It is the policy of the department that if you want good roads, you have to pay for them,” he stated.
The minister highlighted that the government is actively developing major highways, including four-lane and six-lane roads, along with multiple bridges over the Brahmaputra River in Assam. He noted that an estimated ₹3 lakh crore would be spent on road projects in the state.
Toll Collection Rules and Upcoming Policy Changes
As per the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, toll plazas on the same stretch of a highway and in the same direction cannot be located within 60 kilometers of each other. However, some exceptions exist.
Gadkari assured that the upcoming policy would address existing issues and provide reasonable toll concessions to consumers.
“After this parliamentary session, we will introduce a new toll policy that resolves concerns and ensures there is no further debate on the matter,” he said.
Surge in Toll Collection
India’s toll collection has witnessed significant growth in recent years. In the financial year 2023-24, total toll revenue reached ₹64,809.86 crore, marking a 35% increase compared to the previous year. In contrast, the collection in 2019-20 stood at ₹27,503 crore.
With the government’s ongoing focus on infrastructure development, toll charges remain essential for funding projects. However, the upcoming policy aims to ensure a fairer toll system while addressing consumer concerns.
