Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that the government is working on a uniform toll policy to resolve concerns about rising toll charges and poor road conditions on National Highways. However, he did not disclose specific details about the policy.
Surge in Toll Collection and Rising Discontent
According to official data, toll collection in India rose by 35% in 2023-24, reaching ₹64,809.86 crore compared to ₹27,503 crore in 2019-20. The increase in tolled stretches has led to growing dissatisfaction among commuters.
Modernization with GNSS-Based Tolling
The government is working on implementing a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based toll collection system, which aims to introduce barrier-free tolling and streamline charges for seamless travel.
Highway Infrastructure and Construction Progress
Gadkari asserted that India’s highway infrastructure now matches that of the United States. The ministry has constructed 7,000 km of highways in the current fiscal year, with faster progress expected in February and March. The peak construction rate of 37 km per day was achieved in 2020-21.
Cabinet Approval Needed for New Projects
Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the ministry previously had the authority to approve projects up to ₹3,000 crore. However, fresh approvals now require Cabinet clearance for projects over ₹1,000 crore. Gadkari stated that proposals worth ₹50,000-₹60,000 crore have been submitted for approval.
