Lok Sabha Question No. 3070 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Reduction in Toll Collection Costs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathva, Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky, Shri Janardan Mishra, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Alok Sharma, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  factors  leading  to  a  significant  reduction  in  toll  collection  cost during the Financial Year 2024-25 as compared to the previous year in the country including in Dewas-Shajapur regions of Madhya Pradesh;
- (b) the contract and bidding reforms introduced by the National Highways  Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  in  the  country  including  in  DewasShajapur Constituency;
- (c)  the  manner  in  which  the  said  measures  have  affected  the  bidder's participation,  revenue  remittance  and  operational  efficiency  at  the  toll plazas funded through the Government  exchequer  in the country including the said region;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to take further policy measures to improve transparency and cost-effectiveness in toll operations;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) the number of tolls presently operating in Sidhi Lok Sabha Constituency; and

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3070 ANSWERED ON 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## REDUCTION IN TOLL COLLECTION COSTS

## 3070. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA:

SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY:

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (b) The Government has taken up various steps for improvement in user  fee  collection  mechanism  which  includes  introduction  of  various initiatives like automated monitoring of Bidding timelines, close monitoring of timely deposition of remittance through Datalake, introduction  of  Windfall  Gain  Clause  so  that  in  case  of  increase  of substantial  increase  in  user  fee  Collection,  the  agreement  can  be terminated  with  7  days  Notice,  limiting  the  Number  of  pre-mature requests in a year to 3 and same Bidder not allowed to bid for the same Fee  Plaza  bid  for  which  he  has  submitted  the  pre-mature  termination request.  Deemed  extension  of  3  months  (in  1  Year  Contracts)  and  1 month (in Short term Contracts of 3 Months) has been deleted. Over Stay provisions  have  been  added  and  defined  in  Contract  Agreement.  By default, contracts are awarded for period of 1 year through competitive bidding. Further, Short term Contracts are awarded only for new Plaza or where the traffic has still not stabilised or where abnormally low bids are received.  Furthermore, interactions with User Fee Collection Agencies are  regularly  done  to  address  their  issues  and  seeking  suggestions  for system improvements. These steps/initiatives were taken on NHs across the country including in Dewas-Shajapur Constituency.
- (c) The above mentioned measures undertaken by the Government have had a positive and measurable impact on bidder participation, revenue remittance, and operational efficiency at user fee plazas on NH sections funded through the Government exchequer across the country, including the Dewas-Shajapur Constituency.

In  addition  to  above,  issuance  of  Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SOP) vide  Policy  Circular  No.  17.5.87  /  2024  dated  25.01.2024    for  ensuring Operational Transparency in Tolling Operation especially with respect to cash and overload fee collection) for monitoring cash and TMS entries have increased revenue. Surprise inspections by the competent authority

and  mandatory  electronic  based  processing  of  every  transaction  have ensured accurate reporting and higher remittance to Government. These measures have contributed enhanced operational transparency, increased  participation  and  increase  in  Remittances  to  Government exchequer & Toll Collection. (d)  to  (e)  The  Government  continuously  reviews  tolling  policies  and operational practices with the objective of enhancing transparency and cost-effectiveness in toll operations. Based on such reviews, measures are taken from time to time. (f)  Sonvarsha  Fee  Plaza  at  Ch.  Km.  58+800  of  Rewa-Sidhi  section  from Churhat  bypass  to  Siddhi  Bypass  end  of  NH-75E  (New  NH-39)  is operational  in  Sidhi  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  in  the  State  of  Madhya Pradesh. (g) The user fee collection at the Sonvarsha Fee Plaza is currently being managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) through its appointed  fee  collection  agency.  The  contract  period  for  the  above mentioned fee collection agency is one year from 30 th  October, 2025, to 30 th  October, 2026.

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