Authorities are now establishing clear, measurable standards to define commuter “inconvenience” on national highways. This move aims to determine when toll collection should be suspended or reduced on poorly maintained stretches, addressing public outcry and judicial observations. A dedicated panel will submit its findings within a month to ensure accountability for road quality. NEW DELHI: The highways ministry has set up a panel to identify conditions – a measurable criteria for determining commuter “inconvenience” – under which authorities can take a call on whether to suspend or reduce toll collection on poorly maintained national highway stretches.The decision came amid growing public demand and observations by various high courts over suspension or reduction of toll collection, or user fees, on NHs that lack proper maintenance. Supreme Court had earlier noted that the public could not be forced to pay toll for roads in a state of disrepair.”First, we need to have clear criteria linking toll collection with riding quality and maintenance of an NH stretch. Reducing or suspending toll collection due to a few potholes or small damaged portions may not be fair. Therefore, there is a need to define inconvenience in a quantifiable, not subjective, manner. Once the committee submits its report, we will work out how to address the issue,” said an official. The panel has been asked to submit its report within a month.Corrective measures are already under way to ensure that multiple contractors are not simultaneously executing work on the same stretch, which often leads to confusion and blame-shifting, he added. Regular monitoring of highway stretches using advanced machines is also going on.Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had also said highway authorities shouldn’t collect user fee, if they couldn’t ensure good quality roads.In case of 100% public private partnership projects, such as BOT-Toll, the contract conditions lay down provisions for suspending toll collection, but this has scarcely been enforced to rein in errant players. In case of govt-funded highways, it’s easy to suspend or reduce tolling charges.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTejas Crash: IAF Pilot Killed In Dubai Crash Identified As Wing Commander Namansh SyalDefence Experts Break Down Possible Causes Behind Tejas Fighter Jet Crash In DubaiPM Modi Gets Rousing Welcome From Indian Diaspora In Johannesburg Ahead Of G20 Summit | South Africa’‘I Am A Hindu’: Shashi Tharoor Evokes Swami Vivekananda To Tell The World What Hinduism Stands ForAmit Shah Says BSF Crushed 118 Pak Posts, He Issues Tough Security Message From Sindoor Van In KutchEx-CIA Reveals Savage Reply To Imran Khan’s PTI After Apology Demand Over His India-Pak War Analysis’All 140 MLAs Are Mine’: DK Shivakumar Amid Karnataka CM Speculation; Siddaramaiah RespondsKabul Turns To India As New Trade Partner Amid Pak Blockades And Push For Fresh Regional CorridorsTejas Crashes In Dubai Air Show Display As Massive Fireball Sparks Panic, Pilot Succumbs To InjuriesDeadly 5.5 Earthquake Rocks Bangladesh, Killing At Least Six, Triggers Widespread Panic Across Dhaka123PhotostoriesCan the 10-3-2-1 rule improve your sleep? Here’s what science says‘120 Bahadur’ star Raashii Khanna’s promotional looksWhat causes high uric acid levels, early symptoms and how to bring it down naturally with science backed tipsTop Harvard doctor reveals the right time to eat these 7 nuts to gain maximum benefitsVegetarian Thanksgiving: 4 mains that taste better than the Turkey10 dhaba-style Paneer dishes to try at home this weekendRekha to Kriti Sanon: Trending celebrity style highlights of the dayFrom Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ to Salman Khan’s ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’: A look at classic Bollywood films through the modern lensWhy Sadhguru recommends having Beetroot and Cardamom Soup during winter eveningsHow to make Zero-Oil Soya Biryani at home123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingBest Rockstar Games to Play for GTA 6Savannah JamesWayne GretzkysTrevon DiggsDelhi School Suicide CaseKolkata EarthquakeCandace OwensGavin BrindleySophie CunninghamMLB Trade Rumors
NEW DELHI: The highways ministry has set up a panel to identify conditions – a measurable criteria for determining commuter “inconvenience” – under which authorities can take a call on whether to suspend or reduce toll collection on poorly maintained national highway stretches.The decision came amid growing public demand and observations by various high courts over suspension or reduction of toll collection, or user fees, on NHs that lack proper maintenance. Supreme Court had earlier noted that the public could not be forced to pay toll for roads in a state of disrepair.“First, we need to have clear criteria linking toll collection with riding quality and maintenance of an NH stretch. Reducing or suspending toll collection due to a few potholes or small damaged portions may not be fair. Therefore, there is a need to define inconvenience in a quantifiable, not subjective, manner. Once the committee submits its report, we will work out how to address the issue,” said an official. The panel has been asked to submit its report within a month.Corrective measures are already under way to ensure that multiple contractors are not simultaneously executing work on the same stretch, which often leads to confusion and blame-shifting, he added. Regular monitoring of highway stretches using advanced machines is also going on.Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had also said highway authorities shouldn’t collect user fee, if they couldn’t ensure good quality roads.In case of 100% public private partnership projects, such as BOT-Toll, the contract conditions lay down provisions for suspending toll collection, but this has scarcely been enforced to rein in errant players. In case of govt-funded highways, it’s easy to suspend or reduce tolling charges.
