Parliament Question: FASTag toll collection in Karnataka

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1368 ANSWERED ON - 11/02/2026 FASTAG TOLL COLLECTION IN KARNATAKA 1368. SHRI G.C. CHANDRASHEKHAR: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) toll revenue collected through FASTag on National Highways in Karnataka during Financial Year 2022-23 to Financial Year 2024-25; (b) instances of toll evasion or system misuse detected; (c) enforcement measures taken to prevent revenue leakage; and (d) the toll prices hike between the said period and the subjective conditions for different vehicles? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) The total user fee collected through FASTag on National Highways in the State of Karnataka during Financial Year 2022-23 to Financial Year 2024-25 are as under: Financial Year ETC Collection (Rs. in Cr) 2022-23 3,049.09 2023-24 3,839.14 2024-25 4,224.08 (b) to (c) The ETC system accounts for more than 98% of the user fee collection across the country including the State of Karnataka. All the FASTag transactions are processed in a secured ecosystem involving Toll Management System Software, Acquirer Bank at fee plaza, National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) as Central Clearing House (CCH) and FASTag Issuer Bank. The transaction involves a transparent process wherein the deducted user fee (Toll) is informed to the highway users and recorded in a central repository. The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system is designed such that no FASTag transaction can take place without the participation of all three stakeholders i.e., Acquirer Bank at user fee plaza, NPCI and Issuer Bank. In addition to above, to ensure operational integrity and transparency in user fee collection, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) vide Policy Circular dated 25.01.2024 has issued a Standard Operating Procedure for ensuring Operational Transparency in Tolling Operation to be followed. The SOP includes provisions of surprise checks at toll plazas and regular monitoring to Page 1 of 2ensure that all transactions at toll plazas (Cash/FASTag) are processed through the Toll Management System Software. (d) User-fee at a fee plaza is collected for the use of section of National Highway as per the provisions of National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The user fee rates are revised annually linked to the wholesale price index in accordance with NH Fee Rules, 2008, for Public Funded fee plazas and applicable fee rules at the time of Concession Agreement for Concessionaire fee plazas. The user fee collected at NH user fee plazas is subject to periodic revision, primarily to account for changes in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which reflects inflationary trends in the economy. Further, user fee rates also increases as and when the tolling length under the particular Fee Plaza is increased. The amount of user fee collected on a National Highway depends on the volume of traffic and the type of vehicles using the stretch. As per the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, vehicles are categorized on the basis of their size and axle configuration. Cars, jeeps, and vans fall under the lowest fee category, while light commercial vehicles, buses, and trucks are charged higher rates. Heavy vehicles with three or more axles, including multi-axle vehicles, are subject to the highest fee rates, so as to ensure that user fee is charged in proportion to the extent of road usage and tear and wear caused by different category of vehicles. ***** Page 2 of 2