Toll collection up 20% in June quarter

Toll collection across India's highways surged 19.6% to a record ₹20,681.87 crore in the first quarter of this financial year, compared to ₹17,279.86 crore in the corresponding quarter of 2024-25, on the back of low base, increase in charges and addition of new toll roads, official data showed.

The rate of growth was more than double of 9.49% in April-June 2024-25.

As per the National Electronic Toll Collection data, the number of toll users increased 16.2% to 1,173.30 million in the quarter to June from 1,009.87 million a year ago.


If the growth momentum sustains, toll collection could surpass ₹80,000 crore for the first time in a fiscal, adding record revenue to the government kitty. The toll collection in 2024-25 stood at ₹72,931 crore.

A senior government official told ET that fast-track development of toll roads and increased economic activity are adding to toll collection. "The government's focus on building and maintaining toll roads at world-class level to substantially reduce travel time and enhance user experience has significantly added to toll user base, resulting in surge in toll collection," said the official, who did not wish to be identified.

The NHAI had increased toll charges by 4-5% with effect from April 1, an annual exercise to revise the rates linked to the changes in the wholesale price index-based inflation.

"The 19.6% growth is attributable to a smaller base of last year due to the general election and various state elections which led to subdued growth in the first three quarters of the calendar year," said Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, senior director and global head, consulting, CRISIL Intelligence.