Government to Announce New Toll Policy Soon with ‘Reasonable Concession’ for Consumers: Nitin Gadkari
The central government is set to introduce a new toll policy for national highways, offering “reasonable concessions” to consumers, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Toll Charges Essential for Road Development
While responding to queries, Gadkari emphasized the necessity of toll collection for infrastructure development, stating, “When you want good roads, you have to pay for it.” He highlighted the government’s significant investment in building highways, bridges, and expressways, adding that funds are being raised from the market to support these projects.
Currently, toll is charged only on four-lane highways, while two-lane paved shoulders are exempt. Gadkari assured that the upcoming policy would address concerns and introduce fair concessions to ease the burden on road users.
“After this session, we will announce a new toll policy that resolves existing issues and ensures reasonable concessions, putting an end to ongoing debates regarding toll charges,” he stated.
Toll Collection in India: Key Figures
- Total toll revenue in 2023-24: ₹64,809.86 crore (a 35% increase from the previous year).
- Toll collection in 2019-20: ₹27,503 crore.
- As per the 2008 rules, no two toll plazas can be established within 60 km of each other on the same highway section in the same direction.
The new policy is expected to balance infrastructure funding needs with consumer interests, ensuring smoother highway travel with justifiable toll charges.
