Motorists travelling on national highways with major structures like bridges, tunnels, flyovers, and elevated roads will now pay significantly less at toll plazas. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the toll calculation rules, bringing down charges by as much as half on stretches where these structures are present. The new notification, issued on 2 July 2025, revises the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, and introduces a more balanced approach to toll collection.
Earlier, tolls for highway sections with bridges or tunnels were calculated at ten times the normal rate for every kilometre, reflecting the higher construction and maintenance costs of these structures. This often resulted in steep tolls, especially on stretches dominated by such infrastructure. The new formula now allows tolls to be charged based on whichever is lower: ten times the length of the structure(s) plus the rest of the section, or five times the total length of the section, including the structures. For example, a 40-kilometre stretch consisting entirely of bridges or tunnels would have earlier attracted a toll calculated on 400 kilometres. Under the revised rule, the toll will be based on 200 kilometres, reducing the fee by 50%.
Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) say this change aims to make toll charges more reasonable for the public while still ensuring the financial viability of highway projects. The government expects that lower tolls will encourage more people to use the national highway network, especially on routes with extensive flyovers, bridges, or tunnels.
Private vehicle owners also stand to benefit from a new annual pass option introduced by the Ministry. The FASTag-based annual pass, priced at ₹3,000, will be valid for one year or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first, offering further convenience for regular commuters.
With these reforms, the government is focusing on making highway travel both affordable and efficient, ensuring that the benefits of modern infrastructure reach a wider section of the population. The revised toll structure is expected to improve transparency and consistency in toll collection across the country, while supporting the ongoing expansion and maintenance of India’s national highways.
