Lok Sabha Question No. 6421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Toll Monetisation
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  justifies  aggressive toll monetisation under asset recycling models and the safeguards that exist to prevent long-term user burden;
- (b)  whether  the  National  Highways  are  being  redesigned  to  withstand extreme heat, flooding and landslides, if so, the details thereof and the percentage of new projects that incorporate climate-risk assessments; and
- (c)  the  data  that  demonstrates  recent  highway  expansion  has  reduced freight turnaround time and logistics costs for Indian industry?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  National  Monetization Pipeline (NMP) is a strategic initiative by the Government of India to unlock the value of public assets for infrastructure development.

These  models  are  designed  to  generate  funds  for  new  infrastructure development  without  transferring  ownership  of  assets.  Safeguards  are built into  concession  agreements  to  protect  road  users,  including regulated  user  fee  rates,  defined  concession  periods,  and  performance standards  for  maintenance  and  operation. Presently,  user  fees  at  fee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6421

ANSWERED ON 2 ND  APRIL, 2026

## TOLL MONETISATION

6421. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

plazas  are  levied  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  National Highways  Fee  (Determination  of  Rates  and  Collection)  Rules,  2008.  A uniform methodology is followed for calculation of user fees across the country, irrespective of the mode of contract, including asset monetization contracts.

- (b)  All  National  Highway  projects  are  designed  in  accordance  with  the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes, which already include provisions to address  climate  conditions  such  as  extreme  heat,  flooding,  landslides, and seismic risks. Accordingly, all new projects incorporate climate and disaster risk considerations, along with environmental impact assessments at the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage. Key technical initiatives include:
- (i)  The  use  of  Polymer  Modified  Bitumen  (PMB)  and  Crumb  Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB) has been mandated  for high-traffic corridors to prevent deformation and rutting under extreme ambient temperatures exceeding 45-50°C.
- (ii)  Design  discharge  calculations  for  bridges  and  culverts  now factor  in  increased  rainfall  intensity.  Use  of  reinforced  drainage systems  and  higher  vertical  clearance  (Freeboard)  for  bridges  is being  implemented  in  flood-prone  zones  to  ensure  all-weather connectivity.
- (iii)      In  hilly  terrains,  specialized  slope  stabilization  techniques such  as  hydro-seeding,  rock  bolting,  and  soil  nailing  are  utilized. Furthermore,  early  warning  systems  and  real-time  monitoring  of slopes are being piloted in vulnerable stretches.
- (iv)  In  addition,  the  DPR  preparation  process mandatorily  includes multi-hazard risk modelling, hydrological studies, and comprehensive drainage planning.
- (c)      Assessment  of  logistics  costs  in  India  was  carried  out  by  the Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT)  in association  with  the  National  Council  of  Applied  Economic  Research (NCAER).  As  per  this  study,  logistics  costs  in  India  are  estimated  at about  8%  of  Gross  Domestic  Product  (GDP),  which  is  comparable  to developed economies.

Further,  High-speed  corridors,  expansion  of  National  Highways,  and access controlled highways have significantly improved freight movement and reduced logistics costs for Indian industry. In addition, all lanes at fee plazas on National Highways were declared as FASTag lanes with effect from midnight of 15 th /16 th  February, 2021, enabling seamless movement,  reduced  waiting  time,  and  easing  congestion. As  per  the Impact  Assessment  of  the  National  Electronic  Toll  Collection  (NETC) Programme conducted during 2024-25, the average time for a vehicle to cross  a  fee  plaza  under  Electronic  Toll  Collection  (ETC)  is  about  40 seconds,  compared  to  12.23  minutes  under  the  earlier  manual  tolling system, indicating significant improvement in traffic flow and reduction in congestion.

*****

3