Delhi HC directs NHAI to address concerns over excessive toll collection

16 Oct 2024 CW Team

The Delhi High Court has instructed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to review a representation regarding the alleged excessive collection of toll fees and the installation of toll plazas on highways nationwide. During a hearing on September 25, a bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL), allowing petitioner Anand Mishra to submit a detailed representation to the NHAI within two weeks.

The court mandated that the NHAI respond to the representation within four weeks, following legal guidelines.

Mishra, a lawyer, argued that according to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, the NHAI is prohibited from collecting tolls on partially completed highway sections, and toll plazas cannot be established within 60 kilometers of each other. He claimed that the NHAI has unlawfully collected excessive tolls from commuters.

The petitioner requested that the NHAI immediately comply with Rules 3(2) and 8(2) of the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, across the country. He further sought a court order for the NHAI to conduct a survey and form a committee to assess the toll amounts collected in violation of these rules, with a directive to refund the excess fees promptly.

Rule 3(2) stipulates that toll collection can only commence within 45 days after the completion of a section of the national highway, permanent bridge, bypass, or tunnel funded by public projects. Rule 8(2) prohibits the establishment of additional toll plazas within 60 kilometers along the same highway section.

Mishra informed the court that he had submitted a representation to the authorities in August, but no action had been taken.

Infrastructure Transport

18 Dec 2025

RVNL secures Rs 1.65 billion railway bridge project from North Eastern Railway

Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from North Eastern Railway for a Rs 1.65 billion railway infrastructure project, strengthening its order book and showcasing its expertise in complex railway construction.The project involves constructing the substructure of a major railway bridge over the Gandak River, located between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations. This is part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section, aimed at improving line capacity and operational efficiency.The bridge will feature 14 spans of 61 metres each, built on double D-t..

Raebareli’s Modern Coach Factory rolls out 15,000th railway coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh has achieved a major manufacturing milestone with the rollout of its 15,000th railway coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said.In a press note, the ministry said that MCF has already produced 1,310 coaches in the current financial year 2025–26, reflecting sustained high output at one of Indian Railways’ most advanced passenger coach manufacturing units.Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli district, MCF was built at a cost of Rs 31.92 billion with an initial annual production capacity of 1,000 coaches. The factor..

RailTel wins Rs 260.88 million IT infrastructure order from VOC Port

Navratna public sector undertaking RailTel Corporation of India has secured an IT infrastructure order worth Rs 260.88 million from V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port), strengthening its presence in port-led digital transformation projects.According to an exchange filing dated December 16, 2025, RailTel has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from VOC Port Authority for the implementation of advanced IT infrastructure at the port. The project is domestic in nature and is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2026.The company said the order has been awarded in the normal course of ..