Lok Sabha Question No. 85 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: New Toll-Pricing Policy
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 85

ANSWERED ON 29 TH  JANUARY, 2026

## NEW TOLL-PRICING POLICY

## 85. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is reviewing the nearly 30-year-old National Highway Toll Policy and is considering a new toll-pricing model to reflect current traffic, cost and road-use patterns with toll collections reaching Rs. 73,000 crore in 2024-25;
- (b) if so, the changes proposed in the toll-policy including user-fee levels, concession  periods,  toll-plaza  rationalisation  and  discount  for  local traffic and the manner in which those changes would affect road-users in remote and tribal districts of Maharashtra;
- (c)  whether there are any special provisions to protect frequent commuters,  tribal  residents,  small  traders  and  farmers  using  national and State highways through tribal and backward regions from disproportionate toll burden, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the timeline by which the revised toll-policy will be notified nationally and the time duration for publishing State-wise and district-wise impact assessments including for tribal and backward districts?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  to  (b)  The  Government  from  time  to  time  has  reviewed  the  tolling policy  with  the  objective  of  ensuring  a  balanced  approach  between revenue  requirements  for  highway  development  and  minimizing  burden on road users. The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection)  Rules,  2008,  as  amended,  provide  a  transparent  framework for levy and collection of user fee, with rates linked to the length of the highway and type of vehicle uniformly across the country.

In  order  to  reduce  the  burden  on  road  user,  Government  has  made various provisions through following amendments:

- (i)      GSR 437(E) dated 01.07.2025 to restrict user fee for highways with more structure length, and
- (ii)          GSR  01(E)  dated  31.12.2025  for  reduction  of  rates  in  case  of upgradation from 2 lane paved shoulder highway to 4 or more lane
- (iii)    G.S.R. 388 (E) dated 17.06.2025 introducing an Annual Pass for noncommercial cars, jeeps, and vans. This scheme offers 200 NH fee plaza crossings  or  one  year  validity,  whichever  is  earlier,  by  payment  of  Rs. 3000/- (Rupees three thousand).

The  Government  is  committed  to  making  the  tolling  system  more efficient,  transparent,  and  user-friendly,  while  simultaneously  ensuring the  availability  of  resources  for  development  and  maintenance  of  the National Highways network.

- (c) to (d) 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.  In addition, 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.

Further, the Government has introduced a FASTag based Annual Pass for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans, which has come into effect from 15th 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.

No State-wise and district-wise study has been conducted. However, 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.

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