Parliament Question: Toll-free roads and toll policy

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3775 ANSWERED ON - 25/03/2026 TOLL-FREE ROADS AND TOLL POLICY 3775. SHRI I.S. INBADURAI: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has undertaken any assessment of the number and length of National Highways and expressways that are currently toll-free across the country, if so, State-wise details thereof; (b) whether Government has any proposal to increase the number of toll-free road stretches, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, to reduce travel costs and improve connectivity for local commuters, if so, details thereof; and (c) whether guidelines exist regarding conditions under which toll plazas may be removed or toll collection discontinued after recovery of project costs from road users, if so, details of such policy provisions? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (b) User fee at fee plaza is collected for the use of a completed section of National Highway, uniformly across the country in accordance with the provisions of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 and the respective Concession Agreements. User fee is collected on all eligible National Highway sections that meet the prescribed criteria under these Rules. It is not collected on those sections or stretches of National Highways that are below 2 lane with paved shoulder shoulders. 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, irrespective of whether the areas are rural or suburban. In addition, the Government has also introduced a FASTag based Annual Pass for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans. This annual pass scheme offers 200 NH fee plaza crossings or one year validity, whichever is earlier, by payment of Rs. 3000/- (Rupees three thousand). (c) Collection of user fee at fee plazas on National Highways is not related to the recovery of project development cost. The fee in accordance with the applicable National Highways Fee Rules is collected by the concessionaire till the end of the concession period, and after the concession period is over, the fee is collected on behalf of the Central Government as per the fee Page 1 of 2specified under the provisions of NH Fee Rules, 2008 on the date of transfer of such section of the National Highway, bridge, tunnel or bypass, as the case may be, to be revised annually. The revenue collected by the Central Government from user fee collection is deposited in Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and the fund provided through budgetary allocation are utilised for further maintenance, development and augmentation of National Highways. ***** Page 2 of 2