Karnataka toll revenue more than doubles to ₹4,779 crore; plazas now 68

Karnataka collected ₹4,779.37 crore in user fees from 68 operational toll plazas on National Highways during the financial year 2025-26, according to government data. The figures, presented in Parliament by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, show a steady rise in both toll collections and the number of toll plazas over the past five years.

The data was disclosed in a written reply to an unstarred question raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, on July 29. Kharge had sought details on the number of toll plazas, the amount collected, and the expenditure incurred in operating them in Karnataka.

According to the reply, the number of operational toll plazas in the State grew from 46 in 2021-22 to 52 in 2022-23, 54 in 2023-24, 60 in 2024-25, and 68 in 2025-26. This represents an increase of nearly 48 per cent over the five-year period. The ministry's reply did not specify the reasons for the increase in the number of plazas.

Toll collections followed a similar upward path. Karnataka collected ₹2,351.26 crore in 2021-22, ₹3,516.79 crore in 2022-23, ₹4,086.18 crore in 2023-24, ₹4,320.27 crore in 2024-25, and ₹4,779.37 crore in 2025-26. The revenue has more than doubled since 2021-22, rising by about 103 per cent.

The average collection per operational toll plaza also increased from approximately ₹51.1 crore in 2021-22 to ₹70.3 crore in 2025-26, indicating higher traffic volumes or revised user fee rates. This average, however, varies widely across plazas depending on location and traffic density. It should be noted that the figures are nominal and not adjusted for inflation.

The Ministry also informed Parliament that one National Highway toll plaza in Karnataka has temporarily stopped collecting user fees due to public agitation and law-and-order issues. The reply did not name the plaza or specify the duration of the suspension.

Nationally, toll collections from National Highways and Expressways reached ₹68,483 crore in 2025-26. When revenue from the Annual Pass scheme is added, the total stood at ₹70,278.18 crore during the financial year.

Karnataka ranked fifth among Indian States in toll collections. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest collection at ₹8,862.12 crore, followed by Rajasthan (₹7,317.51 crore), Maharashtra (₹7,053.71 crore), and Gujarat (₹6,352.38 crore).

On the question of operating expenses, the Ministry said that expenditure details for individual toll plazas are not maintained centrally. This is because plazas operate under different implementation models — such as Build-Operate-Transfer and engineering, procurement, and construction — and the operating costs are borne by the respective concessionaires or fee collection agencies under their contractual agreements.

The Ministry also highlighted policy reforms introduced over the past year to make toll collection more efficient and reduce the burden on road users. One of the key changes is the Annual Pass scheme for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans, which was notified on June 17, 2025. The pass, priced at ₹3,000, permits up to 200 crossings or one year’s validity, whichever is earlier. For the financial year 2026-27, the price has been revised to ₹3,075. Commercial vehicles are not covered under the scheme.