Major Toll Relief for National Highways Users Soon: Nitin Gadkari

Synopsis

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed that the Modi government will soon announce substantial toll relief for National Highways users. The initiative aims to implement a standardized toll policy and introduce a GNSS-based toll collection system.

Key Takeaways

Significant toll relief for national highway users is on the horizon.
A uniform toll policy is being developed.
Implementation of a GNSS-based toll system will enhance traffic flow.
India's national highways cover 1,46,195 km.
Toll collections hit Rs 64,809 crore in 2023-24.

New Delhi, Feb 7 (NationPress) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Friday that the Narendra Modi government is preparing to unveil significant relief measures for toll-paying commuters on National Highways. He stated that the administration is devising a standardized toll policy aimed at assisting users of national highways.

"Our analysis is finished, and the plan will be disclosed shortly," Gadkari informed NDTV.

The minister also mentioned that the government is developing a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based toll collection model, which will eliminate the necessity for toll booths, thereby enhancing traffic flow on national highways.

Gadkari acknowledged the humorous memes circulating on social media regarding toll payments, saying, "Many individuals poke fun at me online. There’s some frustration regarding toll fees. All I can assure is that this annoyance will dissipate soon," he stated.

With a road network that ranks as the second largest globally, India’s National Highways stretch over 1,46,195 km. The toll revenues reached Rs 64,809 crore in 2023-24, marking a 35 percent rise from the prior year.

Gadkari's remarks follow shortly after the Union Budget 2025-26 announcement, where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed a groundbreaking policy of zero income tax for 1 crore individuals earning up to Rs 12.75 lakh. Although this tax exemption will cost the government Rs 1 lakh crore in direct collections, it aims to increase disposable income and stimulate economic demand.

In his discussion with NDTV, Gadkari also addressed plans to clean up the Yamuna and utilize the Delhi section of the river as a landing area for seaplanes.

He pointed out that this initiative has already been successfully executed on the Sabarmati in Gujarat. "This was accomplished in Gujarat as well. The Sabarmati river served as a landing area," Gadkari noted, referencing Prime Minister Modi’s inauguration of the seaplane service to the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in 2020.

The Prime Minister was a passenger on the inaugural flight of the twin-engine aircraft. A similar initiative will be implemented for the Yamuna, he mentioned. "You can depart from Delhi and arrive in Agra in just 13 minutes, returning the same day," the minister added.