The expansion of India’s national highway network and improvements in digital systems have significantly increased toll revenue. In the first three months of the current financial year 2024-25, the central government has collected over 61,400 crores from national highways, averaging approximately 168.24 crores daily.
This remarkable revenue surge can be attributed to the widespread adoption of FASTag, alongside an increase in road transportation, commercial travel, and new expressways. Compared to the nearly 53,000 crores collected in the financial year 2023-24, this year’s toll revenue has grown by over 15 percent.
Since the mandatory implementation of FASTag on national highways in 2019, the electronic toll collection system has seen extensive expansion. This has not only alleviated traffic congestion but also made the toll collection system more transparent and faster. Currently, approximately 98% of toll booths in the country operate with FASTag. According to NHAI data, over 6 crore FASTag transactions are conducted daily.
While the government claims that this substantial toll revenue is being used for the development and maintenance of the national highway network, many citizens question how much of this large sum is reflected in road standards. Numerous social media users have raised concerns, noting that motorcycle riders have to pay between 120 to 150 rupees for every 100 kilometers, despite encountering potholes and unfinished roads on several national highways.
One user remarked, “The government collects millions daily, yet driving on National Highway 34 or 19 is a nightmare, with potholes, half-built bridges, and inadequate lighting.”
Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari stated, “We aim for India’s highway system to surpass that of the United States. Our target is to construct a 200,000-kilometer highway network by 2027. The money earned from FASTag will be utilized for this purpose.”
He also announced that starting in 2025, an “annual toll pass” will be introduced, allowing drivers to travel unlimited trips at specific toll points for a fee of only 3,000 rupees for a year. This initiative is expected to somewhat alleviate the toll burden on the public.
Critics argue that while the government collects approximately 168 crores daily, many rural roads across various states remain dilapidated. There is a significant imbalance between the costs of road development and the tolls collected. Aside from a few expressways, most toll roads lack proper maintenance.
Experts believe that while the revenue generated through FASTag and digital toll collection is positive, greater transparency is essential in management and reinvestment of these funds. Reports from the World Bank indicate that only 60% of the toll revenue collected in India is used for road maintenance, with the remainder allocated to other government infrastructure projects.
Given that the government generates 168.24 crores daily from tolls, a pertinent question arises: “Is this money being used for our safe and improved roads?” Addressing this question is now a critical necessity for the government, as infrastructure development involves not just revenue generation but also building public trust, which remains the biggest challenge.
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/toll-fee-collection-on-national-highways-averaging-168-24-crore-per-day/
Category: অসম,উত্তৰ-পূব,দেশ,বাণিজ্য,শীর্ষ সংবাদ
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Publish Date: 2025-08-03 09:25:00
