Govt to come up with new concessional toll charges for highway users: Nitin Gadkari

Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the government will soon come up with a new policy for toll charges on national highways, offering a reasonable concession to consumers.

Replying to queries in Rajya Sabha, the minister also said that the apex committee and high-level empowered committee have recommended further deliberations for satellite-based tolling in view of security and privacy considerations, breach and overall operational control.
The ministry of road transport and highways is firming up annual and lifetime charges for toll on national highways likely to be around Rs 3000 for a year and Rs 30,000 for 15 years, paid in one-go. The move is aimed at maintaining cash flow for the government while ensuring seamless travel experience at toll plazas by highway users.
Responding to a question, the minister asserted that the government is spending a lot on building road infrastructure and therefore toll charges are necessary. “It is the policy of the department that when you want a good road, you have to pay for it,” Gadkari said.

According to the rules of 2008, toll plaza on the same section of the national highway and in the same direction cannot be established within 60 kilometers.

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“So actually, there are some exceptions. After completing this session, we are going to declare a new policy for the toll, where the problem will be resolved and we will give reasonable concessions to the consumer, and there will be no debate particularly about the toll,” he added.

All user fee plazas on National Highways are established as per the provision of National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 and the respective Concession Agreement. Total toll