This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1889, addressed on July 31, 2025, regarding safety measures and toll collection on National Highways (NHs).
Regarding safety precautions during the monsoon season at NH construction sites, the Ministry stated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) implements traffic management plans, including signage, delineators, cones, drums, and barricades. Special attention is given to drainage within construction zones, maintaining diversion roads, dewatering stagnant water, and deploying traffic marshals. The District Administration's assistance is enlisted for outfalls.
Addressing concerns about forceful toll collection at Paliyekkara and Aroor toll plazas in Kerala despite ongoing construction and traffic congestion, the Ministry asserted that no forceful collection occurs. Toll collection at Paliyekkara is conducted according to the user fee notification published in Gazette No. S.O. 1424(E) dated June 20, 2011, for the Thrissur-Angamali-Edapally 4-laning project. As per fee rules, the rate of fee for a section of a four-lane highway shall on and from the commencement of the work relating to upgradation to six laning, be seventy-five per cent, of the fee applicable on the date of commencement of the National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Amendment Rules, 2013, till the completion of the project without any annual revision. However, in case of NH544, no augmentation has been taken up except for work of rectification of Blackspots. At the Kumbalam Toll Plaza near Aroor for the Edappally to Aroor section, user fees are charged only for the completed stretch.
The Ministry stated that regular monitoring and prompt rectification of potholes and other issues, including water stagnation, are ensured to maintain safe and seamless travel.
Finally, the Ministry confirmed that there are no plans to temporarily suspend toll collection, as user fees are collected according to the National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways in India.
National Highways Authority of India: An autonomous agency of the Government of India responsible for managing and developing a network of National Highways.
Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
Shri K C Venugopal: The questioner in LOK SABHA regarding safety measures and toll collection on NHS.
Paliyekkara Toll Plaza, Kerala: A toll plaza located in Kerala where concerns have been raised regarding forceful toll collection despite ongoing constructions.
Aroor Toll Plaza, Kerala: A toll plaza located near Aroor in Kerala, where concerns have been raised regarding forceful toll collection despite ongoing constructions.
National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008: The rules governing the determination of toll rates and collection on national highways.
National Highway 544: A National Highway where only rectification of Blackspots has been taken up.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1889
TO BE ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY, 2025
SAFETY MEASURE AND TOLL COLLECTION ON NHS
1889. Shri K C Venugopal:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) the precautions and safety measures taken by the Government/
National Highways Authority of India ahead of the monsoon season in
view of the ongoing National Highway(NH) constructions;
(b) whether the Government has taken note of forceful collection of
tolls, particularly at Paliyekkara and Aroor toll plazas in Kerala,
despite the ongoing constructions, crawling traffic and deficiency in
services across the NHs in Kerala;
(c) if so, the steps being taken to mitigate the issues and if not, the
reasons therefor; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to temporarily suspend the
collection of tolls until the completion of ongoing works, if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) Before onset of monsoon, a traffic management plan for each work
zone is ensured and signages/ delineators (cones/ drums), barricades,
etc. are being provided. The drainage of construction zone is given
special attention. Diversion Road/ existing road is being maintained in
traffic worthy condition. Dewatering of stagnant water in the
construction zone is being pumped out to nearest outfall. Help of
District Administration is being sought for outfalls. Traffic Marshals
are being deployed to guide the traffic.
(b) There is no forceful collection of User Fee (Toll) on any toll plaza,
including Paliyekkara and Aroor toll plazas in Kerala. Collection of toll
is in accordance with user fee notification.
User Fee (Toll) is collected at Paliyekkara Toll Plaza, in accordance
with user fee notification published in Gazette No.S.O.1424(E) dated
20.06.2011 for the project of 4-laning of Thrissur – Angamali - Edapally.
As per fee rules, the rate of fee for a section of a four-lane highway
shall on and from the commencement of the work relating to
upgradation to six laning, be seventy-five per cent, of the fee
applicable on the date of commencement of the National Highways
Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2013,
till the completion of the project without any annual revision. However,
in case of NH-544, no augmentation has been taken up except for work
of rectification of Blackspots.
In respect of User Fee (Toll) collection at Kumbalam Toll Plaza (near
Aroor) for Edappally to Aroor section, User Fee (toll) is being charged
only for the completed stretch from Edappally to Aroor.
(c) The Government ensures regular vigil on potholes and other issues
with the National Highways and the same are rectified/ resolved
promptly, including dewatering of stagnant water along the diversions
to ensure safe and seamless travel for the road users.
(d) No Sir. User fee is being collected as per National Highways Fee
(Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
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