Assam Highways Toll Suspension Sought Over Poor Roads
Calls are mounting in Assam for a suspension of toll collection on national highways until basic road conditions are restored, as commuters, truckers, and transporters express rising frustration over broken stretches and rising costs. Residents and transport users have voiced strong concerns over the collection of tolls on highways riddled with potholes, uneven surfaces, and frequent waterlogging. Officials have noted that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) continues to operate toll plazas on stretches of NH-27 and NH-37 despite repeated complaints of poor upkeep.
Travellers report that sections between Sonapur and Raha, as well as between Baihata Chariali and Nalbari, have become especially difficult to navigate. These conditions are not only slowing down travel but also damaging vehicles and raising the risk of road accidents. The deteriorating surfaces have also caused delays in the transport of essential goods, adding an indirect burden on households already facing higher prices.
Truck operators, critical to Assam’s agrarian and trading economy, argue that their rising operating costs are unsustainable. The higher expenditure, they say, is ultimately passed on to consumers through steeper commodity prices. Industry watchers believe that this scenario undermines both the competitiveness of local supply chains and the long-term resilience of the state’s economy.
The issue has also triggered public demonstrations, with community groups highlighting that toll charges are being levied even as inflation and unemployment are already eroding household budgets. This discontent has fuelled a broader debate on whether toll collection should be directly linked to road quality, especially in regions vulnerable to recurring floods and seasonal disruptions. The matter has gained momentum after a recent Supreme Court observation in a separate case concerning Kerala’s highways, where the court held that citizens cannot be compelled to pay for navigating pothole-filled stretches. Analysts say this interpretation sets a precedent that questions the legitimacy of toll collection without guaranteed safe and efficient infrastructure.
Experts emphasise that the core principle of a toll regime rests on ensuring safety, efficiency, and reliability. If these benchmarks are not met, continuing collections raises both ethical and legal challenges. They add that an independent audit of toll plazas in Assam, with compliance checks on maintenance standards, could help restore public trust. For a state like Assam, where connectivity is central to both agricultural trade and regional development, sustainable transport infrastructure is not only an economic need but also a social necessity. The demand for toll suspension underscores a larger call for accountability in infrastructure delivery and a shift towards road management models that prioritise public interest, environmental resilience, and equitable mobility.
