The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a landmark reduction in toll charges on highway stretches where elevated structures—such as flyovers, tunnels or underpasses—constitute more than half the route length, slashing fees from a ten‑fold to a five‑fold multiple of the base toll rate.
This policy change promises substantial savings, especially for heavy and commercial vehicles regularly using such corridors. On corridors like the 28.5 km Dwarka Expressway—where 21 km is elevated—the one‑way car toll currently stands at approximately ₹317, with ₹306 attributed to the elevated section alone. Under the new rule, this is expected to drop to around ₹153—nearly halving the travel cost for commuters and transport operators alike. Previously, the National Highways Fee Rules allowed a ten‑times multiplier on elevated segments, reflecting higher construction and maintenance costs.
However, this approach raised travel expenses significantly on modern urban infrastructure, undermining their accessibility and intended use. The revised policy now caps tolls at five times the base rate for qualifying stretches, reflecting a more balanced approach . While the notification is awaited, the decision is expected shortly. It supports the government’s broader aim to ease toll burdens and rationalise highway fees under a more equitable and commuter‑friendly framework . The primary beneficiaries will be users of expressways, bypasses and ring roads, particularly those paying frequent or commercial levies.
Private vehicle owners may experience limited benefit when using annual FASTag passes, which already offer flat charges. However, for heavy commercial and frequent travel segments, the reduction can translate into large year‑on‑year savings, improving logistics efficiency and potentially lowering freight costs . This move complements ongoing reforms to devising a standard nationwide toll regime, inclusive GNSS‑based billing, per‑kilometre tolling and barrier‑free travel solutions, all aimed at reducing highway friction and sustaining infrastructure growth .
Urban corridors increasingly rely on elevated structures to surmount land acquisition challenges and ease congestion. But building such infrastructure and the previous high toll had limited public uptake, sometimes defeating the purpose. This revision is expected to restore visibility and utility of these assets. The policy shift reflects a more thoughtful balance between infrastructure cost recovery and equitable access, aligning with the government’s goal to enhance connectivity while protecting commuters. It may also gain political support in upcoming elections, where transport affordability is a key voter concern.
However, implementation will depend on how swiftly the notification appears and how effectively toll plazas update systems. There remains a need for continued transparency and independent audits to ensure toll revenues align with the revised structure. As long as elevated corridors retain their central role in India’s urban‑peri‑urban mobility policy, this change in toll norms signals a welcome move toward more commuter‑centric infrastructure economics. Expressway users—especially truckers, logistics firms and frequent travellers—will likely applaud lower operational costs and a fairer return on infrastructure investment.
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