You must have wondered at some point how much the government earns from the toll collected on national highways. Now, the government has provided this information. Since the year 2000, Rs 2.1 lakh crore has been collected as user fees on national highways. This amount is a small part of the expenditure the Center has incurred on constructing a nationwide network of highways and expressways.
At the same time, in the last 24 years, the government has earned Rs 1.44 lakh crore in toll taxes from plazas operating under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari shared this information in response to a written question in the Lok Sabha.
UP on Top in Toll Collection
Uttar Pradesh leads in toll collection, as it has the largest highway network in the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) collects tolls only from sections built with 100% government funding. Uttar Pradesh has generated the highest toll revenue. Meanwhile, no toll revenue has been received from northeastern states like Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. The Gurgaon-Jaipur corridor of NH-48 has collected around Rs 8,528 crore as user fees.
Toll on 45,000 km of National Highways
Currently, tolls are being levied on about 45,000 km of the total 1.5 lakh km of national highways. Gadkari explained that the government has introduced a new feature with Fastag, which allows free tolling using the electronic toll collection system.
Global Navigation Satellite System and Tolling Rules
The government has not yet implemented the Global Navigation Satellite System-based tolling system on national highways. The toll is only charged on highways that have at least two and a half lanes.
Government’s Investment in National Highways
In the last five years, the government has spent Rs 10.2 lakh crore on the construction and maintenance of national highways.