Toll collections hit record Rs 70,278 crore in FY26, up 14.45%

Toll collections on national highways and expressways in India reached a record Rs 70,278 crore during 2025-26 (FY26), marking a 14.45% increase over the previous fiscal year. The figures were tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday by Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, serving as an indicator of economic activity along major corridors.

According to the data, user fee collections have grown steadily over the past five years. In FY22, the total stood at Rs 33,929 crore, which rose to Rs 48,032 crore in FY23, Rs 55,882 crore in FY24, and Rs 61,408 crore in FY25. The cumulative collection from FY22 to FY26 amounts to approximately Rs 2.69 lakh crore, reflecting sustained expansion in road usage and freight movement.

Toll collections are widely considered a proxy for economic health, as they reflect the volume of passenger and commercial vehicles travelling on the country's highways. The consistent year-on-year growth suggests increased trade, logistics activity, and personal travel across states. However, the data tabled in Parliament does not provide a state-wise breakdown, leaving the original question of which states are driving the growth unanswered. The ministry's figures are aggregated at the national level, and no detailed regional analysis has been released in the public domain so far.

The increase also aligns with the government's broader infrastructure push, which includes expanding the national highway network and improving road connectivity. Higher toll collections often correlate with the addition of new stretches under toll operation, as well as higher traffic volumes on existing routes. While the exact contribution of each state remains unclear, the national trend points to a robust demand for road transport infrastructure.

Experts note that the sustained rise in user fees could have implications for highway construction funding, as toll revenues are used for operation, maintenance, and repayment of loans taken for road projects. The government has also been modernising toll plazas with electronic toll collection systems to improve efficiency and reduce waiting times at barriers.

Minister Gadkari's presentation in the Rajya Sabha did not include any projections for the current fiscal year, but the recorded figures suggest continued momentum. As the government aims to increase the length of national highways and expressways, toll collection is expected to remain a key revenue stream for the road transport sector.