Let journey through national highway become profitable

When it comes to road travel via national highways, the most common complaints are usually about toll rates. Issues such as varying toll fees at different locations, short-distance travellers having to pay the same amount as long-distance ones, and long queues at toll plazas often lead to frequent grievances and even protests by local residents. A major relief to such concerns is the recent decision by the Union Ministry of Road Transport to introduce an annual pass system under FASTag. The proposed system allows for up to 200 trips per year for Rs 3000.

This annual pass facility will be available for private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans that are not used for commercial purposes. The new scheme is set to be implemented from August 15. Currently, toll rates across various booths range from Rs 30 to Rs 340. There are a total of 11 toll plazas on National Highway 66, which runs through Kerala from Karode in Thiruvananthapuram to Thalappady in Kasargod. Those travelling the entire length of this highway have to pay hefty toll charges. Under the new system, this could average out to just Rs 15 per toll, which would drastically reduce overall travel expenses.

The announcement about this reform was shared by the Union Minister on his X account, so detailed guidelines are yet to be released. NH-66 stretches for 631 km within Kerala. Even if an average of Rs 15 is charged across the 11 toll plazas, the total would come to only around Rs 165. For context, the current one-way toll from Thiruvananthapuram to Thiruvalla alone is Rs 155 — highlighting just how beneficial the new scheme could be. While occasional long-distance travellers may not find the pass particularly attractive, it will be a major relief for regular travellers. For the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the system also means a guaranteed upfront collection of large sums, marking a significant gain.

According to 2023–24 data, toll collections from over 1,000 toll plazas across the country amounted to Rs 64,809 crore. This figure is expected to reach Rs 70,000 crore in the current fiscal year. However, with the annual pass system in place, collections may not double beyond this figure. That said, the Ministry of Road Transport will still be able to allocate higher funds for the development of national highways based on this revenue. Before the scheme rolls out on August 15, clarifications need to be made — such as what distance will count as one complete trip, whether passing through multiple tolls in a day will be considered a single trip, and other related queries. Only then will travel through toll plazas become both smooth and cost-effective.