Government Cuts Toll Rates on National Highways Featuring Structures
In a major relief for commuters, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has reduced toll charges by up to 50% on stretches of National Highways that include structures such as tunnels, bridges, flyovers, and elevated corridors. The decision was notified on July 2, 2025, amending the existing toll calculation method under the National Highway Fee Rules, 2008.
New Toll Calculation Formula Explained
Previously, tolls for structured stretches were calculated at ten times the normal rate per kilometer of structure. Under the new rule, the toll will be based on the lesser of either:
- Ten times the structure length
- Five times the total highway section length
This change aims to ensure fairness while still accounting for the higher cost of constructing complex infrastructure like bridges and tunnels.
Example for Better Clarity
If a 40 km highway section consists entirely of a tunnel or bridge, the earlier method would have considered a tollable length of 400 km (10x). With the new rule, the toll is calculated on 200 km (5x), effectively halving the toll cost.
Why the Change?
A senior official from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) noted that while earlier toll calculations aimed to recover the higher construction costs, the updated formula balances affordability for users with cost recovery. The change follows feedback from the public and aims to boost affordable travel and economic efficiency on national highways.
Impact and Outlook
This policy shift could reduce travel costs for millions of Indians, especially those commuting through major infrastructure-heavy routes like mountainous corridors or metro city bypasses. It may also encourage increased usage of national highways, contributing to faster logistics movement and improved road connectivity across the country.
The amendment is expected to apply immediately to all new and existing toll plazas that meet the structure criteria defined in the updated rules.