GUWAHATI: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday, March 19, defended the necessity of toll gates after Assam MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan questioned their validity in cases where they do not conform to prescribed rules.
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Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari emphasised that toll revenue is essential for funding large-scale road infrastructure projects. "When you want good roads, you have to pay for them," Gadkari said, explaining that it is primarily through tolls and other market sources that the government manages to raise funds.
He also assured that tolls are only collected on four-lane roads, not on two-lane roads. Additionally, Gadkari reiterated that as per the National Highway Fee Rules, 2008, a toll plaza cannot be established within 16 km of another in the same direction.
The minister also announced that a new toll policy would be introduced in the near future to address concerns and provide reasonable concessions to consumers.
Regarding Assam, Gadkari revealed that the central government is set to invest ₹3 lakh crore for road construction in the state, including four-lane and six-lane highways and multiple bridges over the Brahmaputra.
