Toll tax: Those traveling on the National Highway will now get some relief from the burden of toll tax. The Central Government has changed the method of toll rate calculation by making a big amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The new rule has come into effect from 2 July 2025. Under this, in some cases, toll tax may be cut by up to 50 per cent.
Which structure will apply to the new rule?
The new rates of toll tax will be particularly applicable to those national highways, including bridges, tunnels, flyovers and elevated corridors. The calculation of tolls on these special structures will now be done with a different and more transparent formula than the old rules.
What is the new calculation formula?
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), now the toll tax will be calculated according to whatever low rate of two new standards:
- 10 times structure length + normal highway toll
- 5 times the length of the entire highway section (including structure)
In simple words, now the toll collection will be on the basis from which the user has to pay less. For example, suppose a flyover is 40 km long and the entire highway is built on it. Under the old rule, the toll was calculated to be 10 × 40 = 400 km. Under the new rule, the toll will now be equal to 5 × 40 = 200 km. In this way, passengers will have to pay half a toll.
What is the purpose of changing the rules?
The ministry says that this amendment has been done to make toll recovery more equitable and practical. Now those passengers who travel on long flyovers or tunnels will get relief, but they had to pay the toll as much as the normal highway.
The government believes that the fee is fixed on the basis of use, so that the passengers do not get unnecessary financial burden. This decision will be beneficial for those traveling on long elevated structures made especially in urban areas.
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