Priyanka Tiwari
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Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, announced on Wednesday that the government will soon reveal a new policy for toll charges on national highways. The policy aims to provide "reasonable concessions to the consumers" while addressing the need for tolls to fund the extensive development of road infrastructure in the country.
Toll Charges Necessary for Infrastructure Development
Gadkari emphasized that while toll charges may be a concern for consumers, they are essential to fund the continuous expansion and improvement of road networks. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, he explained that the government is investing heavily in creating better roads, including four-lane and six-lane highways and constructing bridges, such as those across the Brahmaputra River. "We are raising funds from the market, and toll charges are a necessity for financing these projects," he stated. He also reassured that the government is considerate by charging tolls only on four-lane highways, not on two-lane paved shoulders.
Upcoming Policy with Consumer-Friendly Concessions
The minister assured that a new toll policy would be introduced soon, following the completion of the current parliamentary session. The new policy is expected to resolve existing issues related to toll charges, offering fair and reasonable relief to consumers. Gadkari further mentioned that this would address concerns surrounding toll charges, ensuring there would be no further debates on the matter.
National Highways Fee Rules and Toll Collection Facts
The toll collection system in India operates under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, and follows specific guidelines laid out in the Concession Agreement. According to the rules, toll plazas cannot be located within 60 kilometers of each other along the same section of a national highway in the same direction.
