Parliament Question: Increase in Toll rates

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2947 ANSWERED ON - 18/03/2026 INCREASE IN TOLL RATES 2947 # SHRI NEERAJ DANGI :

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: a) the frequency of increase in toll rates under the toll plaza policy in the last five years and the average percentage thereof;

(b) whether it is a fact that toll rates have been increased every year on several national highways, even though the roads have been fully constructed; and

(c) whether Government is planning to implement a transparent system to link the increase in toll rates to the inflation index or the actual repair cost? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) 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. The revised rates are published in Newspapers for transparency and information of the Road Users. The average yearly increase is around 4 to 5 % In case of any additional length of National Highway or Length of Structure beyond 60m length is added or reduced in the influence length of the Toll Plaza then also User Fee rate of the plaza is revised proportionately.

Where upgradation work on National Highway (NH) is going on, User Fee rates are reduced for

categories as stated below and not revised annually till completion of upgradation work:  Reduction of applicable user fee to 30% on stretches where two-lane highways with paved shoulders but below four lane configuration being upgraded to four lane or more lanes configuration.

Page 1 of 2 Reduction of applicable user fee to 75% on stretches where upgradation of four lane highways being upgraded to six lane or above configuration.

(b) User fee collection on any National Highways is commenced only after completion of the project section on safety certification by Engineer with Fee rates determined as per National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, as amended from time to time.

(c) The annual revision of toll rates is based on a transparent formula prescribed under the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008 and its amendments. The 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.

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