The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun implementing a revised toll calculation formula that could lower toll charges for motorists travelling on highways with bridges, tunnels, flyovers and elevated corridors. The new method introduces a cap on the tollable distance, ensuring commuters pay a more reasonable fee on infrastructure-heavy highway stretches.
The revised formula follows amendments to the National Highways Fee Rules and is expected to benefit both private vehicle owners and commercial transport operators.
What Has Changed?
Earlier, toll charges on highway sections containing major structures such as bridges, tunnels and elevated roads were generally calculated by treating the length of these structures as 10 times their actual distance because of their higher construction and maintenance costs.
Under the new rule, the tollable distance will now be calculated using whichever of the following is lower:
- 10 times the total length of bridges, tunnels, flyovers and elevated highways plus the remaining normal road length, or
- Five times the total length of the entire highway section.
This upper limit is expected to reduce toll charges on many routes where elevated structures account for a significant portion of the highway.
Example Shows How Motorists Benefit
Consider a 40-km highway consisting of 30 km of bridges and elevated structures and 10 km of ordinary road.
Under the earlier approach, the tollable distance would have been:
- 30 × 10 + 10 = 310 km
Under the revised rule:
- Total highway length × 5 = 200 km
Since 200 km is lower than 310 km, toll will now be calculated on 200 km, resulting in a lower user fee.
Similarly, if a 40-km stretch has 10 km of structures and 30 km of regular road, the tollable distance becomes 130 km, which is lower than the alternative calculation of 200 km.
Small Structures Excluded
The revised rules also clarify that bridges, tunnels, flyovers or elevated structures measuring 60 metres or less will not be treated as separate structures for toll calculation. This prevents minor infrastructure from increasing toll charges unnecessarily.
When Will The New Formula Apply?
For government-operated toll plazas, the revised calculation will be implemented during the next scheduled toll revision.
For projects currently operated by private concessionaires, the new formula will take effect after the concession period ends or when the highway returns to NHAI. Newly commissioned toll plazas will adopt the revised calculation from the beginning of toll collection.
A Relief For Frequent Highway Users
The revised formula is expected to make long-distance travel more affordable on highways with extensive bridges, tunnels and elevated roads. By introducing a ceiling on the chargeable distance, the government aims to create a fairer toll collection system while continuing to support the maintenance and development of modern highway infrastructure.
Summary
NHAI has introduced a new toll calculation formula that could reduce toll charges on highways featuring bridges, tunnels, flyovers and elevated corridors. By capping the tollable distance and using the lower of two calculation methods, the revised system is expected to provide financial relief to motorists while making toll collection more balanced and transparent.
