New Delhi: In a significant clarification, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that tolls on National Highways are collected indefinitely, negating the need for audits aimed at reducing or closing toll booths. This explanation came in response to a query by DMK MP P. Wilson, who sought insights into audits and potential toll fee reductions. The ongoing collection of user fees is governed by the National Highways Fee Rules, ensuring continuous revenue for infrastructure maintenance.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways emphasized that user fees on National Highways are collected perpetually, as per the NH Fee Rules. This means there is no requirement for audits to assess investment returns and close toll booths, as fees continue beyond concession periods. In public-funded projects, user fees are collected indefinitely and revised annually to ensure that infrastructure maintenance is well-funded.
For Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects, after the concession period ends, toll plazas are handed over to the government, which then continues to collect user fees. This system ensures that infrastructure remains well-maintained and upgraded over time.
In Tamil Nadu, 48 ongoing projects worth Rs 38,359.25 crore are expected to be completed by February 2027. These projects span 1,046.84 km and face challenges such as delays in land acquisition, environmental clearances, and poor planning by contractors. Despite these hurdles, the government remains committed to completing these projects to enhance connectivity and economic growth in the region.
