The Ministry stated highway tolls will continue indefinitely without audits.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways ruled out audits fee plazas based on investment and revenue. To reduce or close toll booths and informed the Rajya Sabha. On Wednesday that toll collection on National Highways is perpetual.

P. Wilson Questions Audits and Toll Reduction Measures

DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson from Tamil Nadu asked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari whether an audits. Had been conduct to assess the investment and revenue of toll plazas nationwide. He also inquired about measures to reduce toll fees or close plazas where the concessionaire and NHAI have recovered their investment.

“The user fee at fee plazas on National Highways is collect in perpetuity. Thus, the need to audit fee plazas with respect to the amount invested and the amount realised. To reduce or close the fee plaza, does not arise,” said Gadkari.

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The ministry explained that user fee, earlier called toll. Is collect for the use of any section of National Highway. In accordance with the provisions of the NH Fee Rules.

“As per the provision of National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, the fee as notifi as per Concession Agreement. Shall be leviable till the end of the concession period and after the concession period is over. The fee shall be collect by the government or the executing authority as per the fee specifi…,”. Gadkari said, adding the user fee is revise annually.

In respect of a public-fund project, Gadkari said the fee leviable will continue to be collect in perpetuity for such sections. Of the National Highway, bridge, tunnel or bypass, as the case may be, to be revise annually in accordance with these rules.

“In the case of BOT Projects, after the end of the concession period, the toll plaza is hand over to the government and thereafter the user fee is collect by the government through its implementing agencies,” he said.

The MP had also asked about the pending projects in Tamil Nadu. Gadkari informed that 48 works amounting to Rs 38,359.25 crore with a collective length of 1,046.84 km are ongoing in Tamil Nadu.

“These works are targete for completion in phase manner by February 2027. The completion of the works is delaye mainly due to delays in land acquisition, forest clearance, utility shifting, borrow area approvals, abnormal rainfalls, NGT orders for not working in the rainy season, poor planning and resources mobilisation by the contractors,” he add.

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