No More Back-to-Back Toll Booths: Centre Issues Strict Warning
No More Back-to-Back Toll Booths: Centre Issues Strict Warning
Highway authorities told to maintain a 60 km gap between toll plazas and avoid setting them within 10 km of municipal limits.
Responding to widespread public complaints about arbitrary placement of toll plazas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a fresh directive mandating strict compliance with existing toll policy rules.
According to the circular, no two toll plazas on national highways should be located within 60 kilometers of each other. Additionally, toll booths cannot be set up within 10 kilometers of municipal boundaries, except in exceptional circumstances.
Though these rules have long been part of the National Highways Fee Rules, enforcement has been inconsistent. Recent reports revealed cases where toll booths were installed too close together or near city limits, causing frustration for commuters and violating policy.
In its statement, the ministry emphasized: “It is essential that toll plazas are placed in accordance with approved policy to avoid undue burden on commuters and maintain fairness in toll collection.”
Enforcement Measures:
Highway agencies and concessionaires have been instructed to ensure compliance during the planning and sanctioning stages of highway projects. The ministry has also directed that toll plaza provisions must be reviewed explicitly at the time of technical approval and included as a separate agenda item in appraisal notes, clearly indicating compliance with the NH Fee Rules.
Authorities failing to comply risk facing action, the ministry warned.
Public Pressure:
The move follows increasing complaints from road users, especially in peri-urban and semi-rural zones, where back-to-back tolls and booths near municipal limits have raised travel costs. By reiterating the 60 km and 10 km rules, the government aims to address commuter concerns and enforce fairness in toll collections.
