NHAI Toll Formula May Cut Charges On Bridges And Tunnels

31 Jul 2026 CW Team

Previously, sections with major structures attracted a higher multiplier that increased chargeable distance and raised tolls for many users. Under the revised rule, toll distance will be the lower of two measures: 10 times the length of the structures plus the remaining plain highway length, or five times the total length of the highway section. Structures measuring 60 metres or less will not be treated separately under the new formula.

The practical effect is that chargeable distance for many stretches may shrink where long bridges or tunnels form a significant share of the route. Motorists on such corridors are likely to see lower payable tolls compared with the previous method that applied higher multipliers to structures. Exact savings will vary by route, depending on the proportion and length of the engineered structures within each toll section.

Those who travel predominantly on ordinary stretches without significant bridges or elevated corridors are unlikely to notice material change in charges. The revised framework applies to National Highways covered under the updated fee calculation guidelines and will not affect every toll plaza. Operators will implement the comparison method when calculating distance and charging users at applicable sections.

Authorities said the change recognises the higher construction and maintenance costs of complex structures while seeking to ease the burden on regular commuters. The adjustment aims to make toll collection fairer without undermining revenue needed to service and maintain major engineered assets. Road users should expect that precise impacts will be published as authorities apply the rule to individual highway contracts.

The government has revised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) toll calculation for sections that include major structures such as bridges, tunnels, flyovers and elevated corridors. The updated approach will determine tolls by comparing two alternative distance metrics and applying the lower to compute charges. Officials presented the change as intended to balance infrastructure cost recovery with more equitable pricing for road users. Previously, sections with major structures attracted a higher multiplier that increased chargeable distance and raised tolls for many users. Under the revised rule, toll distance will be the lower of two measures: 10 times the length of the structures plus the remaining plain highway length, or five times the total length of the highway section. Structures measuring 60 metres or less will not be treated separately under the new formula. The practical effect is that chargeable distance for many stretches may shrink where long bridges or tunnels form a significant share of the route. Motorists on such corridors are likely to see lower payable tolls compared with the previous method that applied higher multipliers to structures. Exact savings will vary by route, depending on the proportion and length of the engineered structures within each toll section. Those who travel predominantly on ordinary stretches without significant bridges or elevated corridors are unlikely to notice material change in charges. The revised framework applies to National Highways covered under the updated fee calculation guidelines and will not affect every toll plaza. Operators will implement the comparison method when calculating distance and charging users at applicable sections. Authorities said the change recognises the higher construction and maintenance costs of complex structures while seeking to ease the burden on regular commuters. The adjustment aims to make toll collection fairer without undermining revenue needed to service and maintain major engineered assets. Road users should expect that precise impacts will be published as authorities apply the rule to individual highway contracts.

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