Big Savings for Drivers! Govt Slashes Toll Rates by Up to 50% on Highways with Bridges & Tunnels

In a significant move to ease the financial burden on motorists, the Central Government has announced a massive reduction in toll rates—up to 50%—for sections of National Highways (NH) that include bridges, tunnels, flyovers, or elevated stretches. The revised toll calculation method, introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is expected to bring substantial relief, especially for commercial vehicle operators.

Revised Toll Calculation Formula

The government has amended the National Highway Fee Rules, 2008, introducing a new formula to determine toll charges for highway sections with such structures. According to the July 2 notification, the revised calculation will consider:

“The rate of fee for use of a section of national highway comprising of structure or structures shall be calculated by adding ten times the length of the structure(s) to the length of the highway section (excluding the structure), or five times the total length of the highway section—whichever is lesser.”

This means tolls will now be calculated on a significantly reduced effective road length, leading to lower charges for motorists.

Example: How the New Rule Works

To clarify the impact, the ministry provided an example:

• If a 40 km highway section consists entirely of structures (bridges, tunnels, etc.), the toll calculation will consider either:
  • 10 × structure length (10 × 40 km = 400 km)
  • 5 × total highway length (5 × 40 km = 200 km)

Since the lower value (200 km) is chosen, the toll fee will be calculated on only 50% of the earlier applicable rate, effectively halving the cost for such stretches.

Why the Change?

Previously, toll rates for such structures were calculated at 10 times the normal rate per km, leading to high costs due to the expensive construction of bridges, tunnels, and elevated roads. A senior NHAI official explained that the new formula ensures fair pricing while still covering infrastructure costs.

An MoRTH official confirmed that the updated rules will reduce toll fees by up to 50% for highway sections with flyovers, underpasses, and tunnels.

Who Benefits the Most?

• Commercial truck & bus operators (frequent highway users)
• Daily commuters on routes with multiple elevated stretches
• Logistics & transport companies facing high operational costs

This move aligns with the government’s efforts to reduce transportation expenses and boost economic efficiency in the logistics sector.