Lok Sabha Question No. 4530 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Ensuring Equitable Toll Charges on National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4530 ANSWERED ON 27 TH  MARCH, 2025

## ENSURING EQUITABLE TOLL CHARGES ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

4530. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government would reconsider the methodology for toll tax  calculation  to  ensure  fair  pricing  for  road  users,  if  so,  the  details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  would  impose  stricter  regulations  on concessionaires to ensure proper maintenance of highways, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  concessionaires  are  fulfilling  their  obligations  regarding road maintenance, black spot management and passenger amenities, if
- so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  exponential  increase  in  revenue  collection  due  to higher  vehicle  numbers  justifies  a  reduction  in  toll  rates,  if  so,  the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  would  review  the  existing  rules  that determine toll tax on National Highways, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (f)  whether  the  base  rate  of  toll  fees  per  kilometer  under  the  NH  Fee Rules,  2008,  would  be  lowered  considering  the  increase  in  vehicular traffic, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) The extant fee rule (National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and  Collection)  Rules,  2008)  for  levy  of  Fee  for  services  or  benefits rendered  on  National  Highways,  was  formulated  in  the  year  2008, ensuring transparency and certainty in the determination of user fee rates, with a uniform methodology for calculating user fees across the country and the same fee rule continues to be in effect.

As  such,  the  user  fee  is  collected  at  a  fee  plaza  for  the  use  of  any section of National  Highway  as per the provisions of National Highways  Fee  Rules,  2008  applicable  for  the  respective  category  of vehicles uniformly across the country.

- (b) Maintenance of National Highways (NHs) is regulated/governed as per  provisions  of  the  respective  Concession  Agreements.  In  case  of any defaults on part of Concessionaires, appropriate penal actions are taken  including  the  execution  of  works  at  the  risk  and  cost  of  the Concessionaire.
- (c) The development and maintenance of NHs is a continuous process. The defects in maintenance are surveyed through periodic inspection by the concerned contractor/ concessionaire/ consultant. The rectification of ageing infrastructure over a period of time is dealt as per the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) requirements specified in the  contract/concession  agreement  duly  supported  by  the  technical guidelines.  Penal  action  is  also  taken  in  case  of  non-fulfilment  of conditions stipulated in contract/concession agreement. Accordingly, efforts are made to ensure that the National Highways are in a trafficworthy condition.
- (d)  to  (f)  The  government  undertakes  several  National  Highways projects, including the widening of existing roads, the development of Greenfield  NH  projects,  to  accommodate  growing  traffic,  improve safety,  promote  economic  growth,  and  enhance  logistics  efficiency.

However, over time, the construction cost of National Highways have also increased due to increasing cost of acquisition of land, inflation and other related expenses. Various  factors  such  as  Lane  Configuration  i.e.  2  Lane  with  paved shoulders/  4  or  more  lane,  Length  of  Section,  Length  of  Bypasses /Structures /Tunnels and Type of Vehicle (Car, Bus, Multi Axle Trucks, etc.) are considered in determining the rate of user fee at a fee plaza for use of a particular section of National Highway, in accordance with provision of NH Fee rules. Further,  the  user  fee  collected  at  NH  user  fee  plazas  is  subject  to periodic  revision,  primarily  to  account  for  changes  in  the  Wholesale

Price Index (WPI).

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