Lok Sabha Question No. 2260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Removal of Manawala Toll Plaza
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  despite  the  extremely  poor  condition  of National  Highway  (NH  3)  from  Amritsar  to  Beas,  toll  tax  is  being collected at Manawala Toll Plaza which is located 3-4 kilometres from the municipal limits  and  approximately  17-20  kilometres  from Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) causing unnecessary financial burden on pilgrims while in many other religious places in the country tolls are not collected up to 25 kilometres and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  remove  or  shift  the Manawala Toll Plaza so that pilgrims and other devotees from across the world coming to Golden Temple are not subjected to direct or indirect additional taxation; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  All  user  fee  plazas  including Manawala  (Nijjarpura)  Fee  Plaza  on National  Highway  (NH-3)  have  been  established as  per  the  respective user  fee  notification  published  in  the  Gazette  of  India,  in  accordance with  the  provisions  of  the  National  Highways  Fee  (Determination  of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, and the Concession Agreement. User-

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2260

ANSWERED ON 12 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## REMOVAL OF MANAWALA TOLL PLAZA

†2260.  SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

fee at a fee plaza is collected for the use of section of National Highway as per the provisions of NH Fee Rules. The National Highway NH-03 section from Amritsar to Beas is maintained by the existing Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Contractor, and routine maintenance works are carried out regularly to keep the road in trafficworthy condition. For monitoring, Independent Engineer/Authority Engineer  (IE/  AE)  conducts  regular  site  inspections  and  competent authority conducts periodical reviews/ site visits. Further, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already processed the Performance-Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) for Amritsar-Beas section for carrying out overlay works using bituminous materials on the project stretch. For providing relief, there are already various provisions for discounts in user  fees  and  monthly  passes  for  local  and  regular  users  of  National Highways  across  the  country,  in  accordance  with  the  NH  Fee  Rules, 2008.  Further,  no  fee  is  levied  for  the  use  of  the  section  of  national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, by two wheelers, three wheelers, tractors and animal drawn vehicles provided no service road is available. In addition, the Government has introduced a FASTag based Annual Pass for  non-commercial  cars,  jeeps,  and  vans,  which  has  come  into  effect from  15 th   August,  2025.  Annual  Pass  scheme  will  be  activated  on payment of Rs. 3000/- and offers travel for non-commercial car/jeep/vans at all National Highway/National Expressway fee plazas for one year or up to 200 fee plaza crossings whichever is earlier. (b)  &  (c)  No  such  proposal for  the  removal  or  closure  of  the  Manawala (Nijjarpura) Fee Plaza is under consideration with the Government. The said  fee  plaza  has  been  established  on  National  Highways  as  per  the user  fee  notification  published  in  the  Gazette  of  India,  in  accordance with the NH Fee Rules.

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