Parliament Question: Impact of rising toll collection

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1391 ANSWERED ON- 11/02/2026 IMPACT OF RISING TOLL COLLECTION 1391. SHRI ASHOKRAO SHANKARRAO CHAVAN: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has estimated that toll collection on National Highways may reach ₹1 trillion in next financial year and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether Government is planning to roll out a satellite based Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system nation-wide to plug leakages; (c) if so, details thereof and the amount likely to be add up in terms of toll revenue due to said step; (d) whether Government has assessed the impact of rising toll collections on commuters, transporters and inflation and if so, details thereof; and (e) total number of new toll plazas likely to be operative in next fiscal year? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (c) The increase in the amount of user fee collection at toll fee plazas on National Highways (NHs) depends on several factors. These include the annual revision of user fee, which is linked to the Wholesale Price Index in accordance with the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, increase in the length of highway under tolling, the volume of traffic plying on the stretch, and the category of vehicles using the highway. However, user fee collection on NHs during the last 03 financial years and current financial year upto December, 2025 is as under: Financial Year User fee Collection (Rupees in crore) 2022–23 48,032.40 2023–24 55,882.12 2024–25 61,408.15 2025–26 (April, 25- Dec,25) 50,345.10 The Apex Committee and High-Level Empowered Committee consisting of Experts from Industry and Academia, in view of security and privacy considerations, breach and overall Page 1 of 2operational control, have recommended further deliberations for Satellite based Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling. However, in effort to enhance toll operations and enable seamless movement of vehicles, the Government has decided to implement MLFF through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with AI analytics and RFID-based Electronic Toll Collection (FASTag) which facilitates barrier-less tolling. Further, a barrier less tolling system is expected to improve user convenience by offering faster and seamless travel, while also delivering significant economic benefits through cost savings, higher operational efficiency, environmental benefits, and improved productivity. (d) Impact Assessment conducted for the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Programme during 2024–25 indicates that the average time taken by a vehicle to cross a fee plaza under ETC operations is 40 seconds, as compared to 12.23 minutes per vehicle under the earlier manual tolling system. This demonstrates a significant improvement in traffic flow and a substantial reduction in congestion at fee plazas. The reduction of time taken by a vehicle at the toll plazas improves efficiency and reduces operational costs. User fee at all toll 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 (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, and the Concession Agreement. The user fee collected at NH user fee plazas is subject to periodic revision in accordance with the NH Fee Rules, 2008, primarily to account for changes in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), which reflects inflationary trends in the economy. Further, there are already various provisions for discounts in user fees and monthly passes for local and regular users of National Highways across the country, in accordance with the NH Fee Rules, 2008. In addition, no fee is levied for the use of the section of national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, by two wheelers, three wheelers, tractors and animal drawn vehicles provided no service road is available. In addition, the Government has introduced a FASTag based Annual Pass for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans, which has come into effect from 15th August, 2025. Annual Pass scheme will be activated on payment of Rs.3000/- and offers travel for non-commercial car/jeep/vans at all National Highway/National Expressway fee plazas for one year or upto 200 fee plaza crossings whichever is earlier. (e) Establishment of fee plazas are project-specific and depend upon the completion and operationalization of National Highway projects. The collection of user fee commences only upon issuance of the Completion Certificate/Provisional Completion Certificate and the safety report certifying that the concerned section of the National Highway is fit for operation. User fee at Fee Plazas on National Highways (NHs) is levied and collected only after the publication of the respective user fee notification in the Gazette of India, in accordance with the provisions of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 and the terms and conditions stipulated in the respective Concession Agreements. Accordingly, toll fee plazas become operational only upon fulfilment of these statutory and contractual requirements from time to time. ***** Page 2 of 2