Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced that the government will soon unveil a new toll policy aimed at providing reasonable concessions to consumers. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari emphasized the necessity of toll charges for funding road infrastructure projects while ensuring that the new policy addresses existing concerns and exceptions related to toll plazas.
Key Highlights of the Upcoming Policy:
- Consumer-Friendly Measures: The policy will introduce concessions to ease the financial burden on commuters, particularly on four-lane highways.
- Infrastructure Development: Gadkari highlighted the government’s commitment to building robust road networks, including four-lane and six-lane highways, and bridges over the Brahmaputra River, with an estimated expenditure of ₹3 lakh crore in Assam alone.
- Regulatory Updates: The policy will resolve issues related to toll plaza placement, ensuring compliance with the 2008 rules that prohibit toll plazas within 60 kilometers of each other on the same highway section.
Gadkari reiterated the importance of toll charges in maintaining and expanding India’s road infrastructure, stating, “When you want good roads, you have to pay for them.” He assured that the new policy would address consumer concerns and eliminate debates surrounding toll charges.
The announcement comes as toll collections in India have seen a significant rise, reaching ₹64,809.86 crore in the 2023-24 financial year—a 35% increase compared to the previous year. The government aims to balance infrastructure funding with consumer-friendly measures through this policy.
The new toll policy is expected to modernize toll collection systems and enhance transparency, benefiting millions of commuters across the country. Further details are awaited as the government finalizes the policy framework.
