Parliament Question: Annual Escalation of Toll Rates

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6402 ANSWERED ON 2ND APRIL, 2026 ANNUAL ESCALATION OF TOLL RATES 6402. SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has reviewed the automatic annual escalation of toll rates based on the 2008 base rates and the fixed three percent annual increase formula in light of the Committee’s observations; and (b) the current status of the proposed NITI Aayog study to re-evaluate toll base rates and the user fee determination framework? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) The extant National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 was formulated to ensure transparency, with a uniform methodology for calculating user fees across the country. The annual revision is linked to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which reflects inflationary trends in the economy, and is implemented uniformly across National Highway fee plazas. As per Rule 5 of extant National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, User Fee rates are revised annually with effect from 1st April every year increasing the base rate of 2007-08 with 40% increase in Wholesale Price Index (WPI) over the base year index indexing the inflation factor as well as fixed 3% yearly increase without compounding. 1(b) NITI Aayog is actively engaged to study the user fee framework, including issues relating to base rates and the methodology for revision of user fees and the study is as yet incomplete. ***** 2