By Vineet Kumar 
India’s toll tax collection has seen a remarkable surge in the past five years, more than doubling from ₹22,664 crore in 2017-18 to ₹54,811 crore in 2023-24. This dramatic increase reflects both the country’s infrastructure expansion and the rise in vehicle usage, as millions of Indians travel for work, trade, and leisure.
Future Benefits
1. Improved Infrastructure: The increase in toll collections will fuel further development of highways, expressways, and bypass roads. For example, new projects like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway are shortening travel time drastically, making journeys more efficient and reducing road congestion across regions.
2. Economic Growth: Better roads mean smoother trade routes. Businesses can move goods faster and more reliably, attracting both domestic and foreign investments. Imagine a truck loaded with fresh produce—now it can travel from rural farms to city markets in a fraction of the time, ensuring goods reach consumers faster and fresher. This connectivity can spur local economies, boost trade, and promote industrial growth.
3. Job Creation: These infrastructure projects bring with them a wave of employment. Road construction and maintenance require large workforces, creating jobs not only in construction but also in ancillary services like equipment supply and roadside businesses. A new highway, for instance, can revitalize small towns along the route, leading to new jobs in motels, restaurants, and shops that serve passing travelers.
4. Environmental Impact: With smoother and more efficient roads, vehicles can maintain optimal speeds, improving fuel efficiency and potentially reducing emissions. Picture a car traveling on a new expressway versus navigating potholed roads; it consumes less fuel and emits fewer pollutants on the smoother route.
5. Enhanced Safety: Higher toll collections also allow for better investment in road safety measures, such as additional street lighting, well-placed signage, and road barriers. This can help reduce accident rates, making highways safer for families on road trips or trucks transporting goods across states.
The rise in toll tax collection indicates ongoing and future investments in India’s road infrastructure, which can improve the quality of life, stimulate economic activity, and create a more interconnected country.