According to sources in the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Uttar Pradesh topped the chart with toll collections of ₹27,014 crore. Rajasthan stood second with ₹24,209 crore, followed by Gujarat at ₹20,607 crore.
Despite the Supreme Court's clear stance that toll tax collection must cease once the construction cost of a highway is recovered, the annual toll collections have been consistently rising by ₹500 crore to ₹1,000 crore. This has raised concerns about the prolonged financial burden on commuters, especially when many highways have already completed their cost-recovery cycle.
The annual toll collection figures indicate a fluctuating yet upward trend:
2020–21: ₹27,926 crore
2021–22: ₹6,002 crore
2022–23: ₹14,104 crore
2023–24: ₹7,850 crore
2024–25 (till Feb): ₹54,820 crore
In Maharashtra, over 75 toll booths operate on national highways. Citizens of the state have paid a cumulative toll of ₹21,105.18 crore in the last five years, sparking public outcry and political discussions around transparency and accountability in toll collection.
The consistent rise in toll revenue across states underscores the need for a re-evaluation of toll policies, especially in light of the Supreme Court's directives and growing commuter dissatisfaction.