New Delhi, 29 November 2024 – The government has amassed ₹1.44 lakh crore in toll taxes at national highway fee plazas operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model since December 2000. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari disclosed this in a written response during the Lok Sabha session, emphasizing the framework established under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
“All user fee plazas on national highways are set up in accordance with the provisions of the NH Fee Rules, 2008, and the respective Concession Agreement,” Gadkari explained. He confirmed that the ₹1.44 lakh crore was collected from user fees at plazas operating under PPP arrangements over the last two decades.
Barrier-Free Tolling and Technological Advancements
In response to a separate query, Gadkari detailed ongoing efforts to implement barrier-free tolling, relying on electronic toll collection (ETC) systems like FASTag. While widely adopted, the minister noted that Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based tolling, a more advanced system, is not yet operational on national highways.
However, recent amendments to the NH Fee Rules, 2008, lay the groundwork for GNSS-based tolling. Gadkari explained, “With GNSS technology, toll charges will be determined based on the actual distance travelled by a vehicle on a highway or expressway, as per the amended NH Fee Rules.”
Under the GNSS framework, vehicles equipped with an on-board unit (OBU) will automatically be charged for the distance covered. Vehicles lacking a functional OBU will incur a penalty, paying twice the standard toll fee at applicable plazas if the system is implemented.
Current Collection Mechanism
At present, toll fees are collected at plazas based on the “project influence length,” which calculates charges according to a predefined stretch of highway. The introduction of GNSS-based tolling, once operational, is expected to enhance transparency and align toll fees with actual road usage.
The government’s ongoing technological upgrades aim to improve the efficiency of toll collection, reduce congestion, and offer seamless travel experiences for highway users.
