Lok Sabha Question No. 296 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Toll Collection on NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO-296

## ANSWERED ON- 12 TH  MARCH, 2026

## TOLL COLLECTION ON NHs

*296. Sh. K Radhakrishnan:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  amount  collected  through  toll  plazas  on  National Highways (NHs) during the last five years, year-wise;
- (b) whether toll rates have been increased during this period and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to rationalise toll charges in view of rising fuel prices and inflation, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  criteria  adopted  for  continuing  toll  collection  even  after recovery of project costs?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 296 ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2026  ASKED  BY  SHRI  K.  RADHAKRISHNAN  REGARDING  TOLL COLLECTION ON NHs.

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- (a) The  details  of  user  fee  collected  through  toll  plazas  on National Highways during the last five years are follows:
- (b)     The user fee rates are revised annually linked to the wholesale price index in accordance with the applicable fee rules.
- (c)      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.

| Financial Year   | User Fee Collection (in Crores)   |
|------------------|-----------------------------------|
| 2020-21          | 27,926.67                         |
| 2021-22          | 33,928.66                         |
| 2022-23          | 48,032.40                         |
| 2023-24          | 55,882.12                         |
| 2024-25          | 61,408.15                         |

Further, in order to reduce the burden on road users, 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.
- (ii)  GSR  01(E)  dated  31.12.2025  for  reduction  of  rates  in  case  of  up gradation 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 non-commercial 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).
- (iv) G.S.R. 734 (E) dated 03.10.2025 for reduction in applicable user fee for vehicles without FASTag or active FASTag vehicles from 2 times to 1.25 times, given the user opts for payment through UPI;
- (v) G.S.R. 107 (E) dated 04.02.2026 for the fee payable for the use of a national expressway that is operational for only a part of its notified length  shall  be  levied  at  a  rate  of  one  time  of  the  applicable  fee instead of 1.25 times.
- (vi)  Implementation  of Multi-Lane Free Flow  (MLFF)  tolling:  The Government  has  decided  to  implement  Multi-Lane  Free  Flow  (MLFF) Electronic Toll Collection system, which facilitates barrier-less tolling using integrated technologies including  Automatic  Number  Plate Recognition (ANPR) with AI analytics and RFID-based Electronic Toll Collection  (FASTag),  where  the  user  fee  shall  be  charged  from  the vehicle users without having to stop, slow down or stay in a given fee plaza lane.
- (vii)  As  per  National  Highways  Fee  (Determination  of  Rates  and Collection)  Rules,  2008,  there  are  already  various  provisions  for discounts in user fees and monthly passes for local and regular users of National Highways across the country.
- (d)     Collection of user fee at fee plazas on National Highways is not related to the recovery of project development cost. User fee at all fee plazas on National Highways are collected as per the respective user fee notification published in the Gazette of India, in accordance with the  provisions  of  the  National  Highways  (NHs)  Fee  Rules,  2008,  and the Concession Agreement. As per the provisions of National Highways  Fee  Rules, 2008, the fee notified as  per  concession agreement  is  collected  by  the  concessionaire  till  the  end  of  the concession period, and after the concession period is over, the fee is collected by the Central Government or the executing authority as per

the  fee  specified  under  the  provisions  of  NH  Fee  Rules,  2008  on  the date of transfer of such section of the National Highway, bridge, tunnel or bypass, as the case may be, to be revised annually.  The revenue collected  by  the  Central  Government  from  user  fee  collection  is deposited in Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and the funds provided through  budgetary  allocation  are  utilised  for  further  maintenance, development and augmentation of National Highways.

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