Nitin Gadkari's Ministry: Toll Will Be Collected Forever, Even If Road-Building Cost Is Fully Recovered
Over the years, the amount of toll paid by vehicle owners for using national highways has only gone up. Now, although the quality of roads has also improved, there are still parts where roads are not as good, but the toll is still being collected every day. Recently, it was questioned whether the government should stop collecting tolls after the concession period is over. However, the answer to this, given by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, headed by Nitin Gadkari, stated that tolls are collected in perpetuity.
Toll audits will not be conducted
Recently, while addressing the Rajya Sabha, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, stated that toll collection will not stop. This statement was provided after it was requested that there should be an audit of toll plazas. With this audit, it would be analyzed whether the amount invested in the roads created by the contractors and the government is less than the revenue collected from the toll.
It was suggested that the toll booths are collecting more toll than the money invested in the roads. There should be a reduction in tolls, or those toll plazas should be closed. However, in response to this request, Gadkari stated that there is no need for such an audit. Currently, there are numerous toll plazas across the country where vehicle owners are paying tolls for subpar-quality roads.
During the speech, Gadkari highlighted that the government collects a user fee for using national highways, and it is collected in perpetuity. He also added that the rates for these tolls are revised annually. The National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, determine the rates and collection of tolls.
Who collects the toll after the concession period?
These National Highways Fee Rules state that during the concession period, the tolls are collected as per the concession agreement. However, after the concession period ends, the toll collection is transferred to the government or its agencies. These tolls then remain applicable to sections including national highways, bridges, tunnels, and bypasses.
Should audits on tolls be conducted?
Even though Nitin Gadkari has stated that there is no need for conducting audits on tolls, there are several reasons why toll audits should actually be conducted. The first and main reason is that it will make the government more transparent and accountable. As toll collections are a major part of the government's revenue, the public deserves to know how much is being collected versus how much is being spent.
Additionally, a proper audit will reveal whether the toll plazas are collecting excessive tolls or not. Currently, many tolls continue to charge high fees even after their initial investment has been recovered. So, conducting a proper audit will help in reducing toll fees or completely stopping the collection of tolls to make it fairer for the public.
In a democracy, the public should be aware of where the money collected from them is being spent and whether they are being subjected to over-taxation. So, denying the need for a proper audit is very unparliamentary, and the government should take the initiative to conduct an audit rather than outrightly ignoring the demand for one. This is currently creating distrust in the public eye, as the amount of tolls is increasing, but the services are not up to par.