India’s growing highway network is not only enhancing connectivity but also contributing significantly to the country’s infrastructure funding through toll collections. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) data presented in Lok Sabha on March 20, 2025, the top 10 toll plazas collectively amassed a staggering Rs 14,000 crore in toll revenue over the past five financial years (2019-20 to 2023-24).
The Bharthana toll plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat emerged as the highest revenue generator, collecting Rs 2,043.81 crore. This surge in toll earnings reflects the increasing vehicular traffic and the crucial role toll plazas play in financing the maintenance and expansion of India’s road infrastructure.
Top 10 Toll Plazas with the Highest Collections
Here are the top-performing toll plazas that collected the highest revenue over the last five years:
1. Bharthana Toll Plaza, Gujarat
Location: Vadodara-Bharuch stretch, NH-48
Total Collection: Rs 2,043.81 crore
Highest Yearly Collection: Rs 472.65 crore (2023-24)
Situated on the busy NH-48 corridor, Bharthana recorded the highest toll revenue, driven by continuous commercial and passenger vehicle movement.
2. Chittorgarh Toll Plaza, Rajasthan
Location: Chittorgarh bypass, NH-48
Total Collection: Rs 1,745.32 crore
This plaza, located along the high-traffic Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, generated substantial revenue from heavy freight and interstate vehicle movement.
3. Shamlaji Toll Plaza, Gujarat
Location: Gujarat-Rajasthan border, NH-48
Total Collection: Rs 1,680.24 crore
Shamlaji toll plaza benefits from its position on a major commercial route, contributing to its massive revenue figures.
4. Manesar Toll Plaza, Haryana
Location: Gurugram-Manesar stretch, NH-48
Total Collection: Rs 1,590.47 crore
Part of the Delhi-Jaipur highway, this plaza handles high volumes of commercial and passenger traffic, boosting its revenue.
5. Kishangarh Toll Plaza, Rajasthan
Location: Kishangarh-Ajmer stretch, NH-48
Total Collection: Rs 1,520.39 crore
Serving the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, this toll plaza benefits from continuous vehicle flow, making it one of the top earners.
6. Dankuni Toll Plaza, West Bengal
Location: NH-2, Dankuni-Palsit stretch
Total Collection: Rs 1,460.85 crore
Strategically located on a key trade route between Kolkata and North India, Dankuni toll plaza generates substantial revenue from freight movement.
7. Nallur Toll Plaza, Tamil Nadu
Location: NH-544, near Coimbatore
Total Collection: Rs 1,370.15 crore
Situated along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala route, this plaza earns consistent revenue from commercial vehicles.
8. Durgapur Toll Plaza, West Bengal
Location: NH-19, Durgapur
Total Collection: Rs 1,295.63 crore
Part of the Kolkata-Delhi highway, Durgapur plaza witnesses heavy freight traffic, making it a key revenue source.
9. Dumri Toll Plaza, Bihar
Location: NH-19, Dumri stretch
Total Collection: Rs 1,180.92 crore
Located on a major trade route, this plaza earns high revenue from commercial vehicle movement.
10. Mahuvan Toll Plaza, Uttar Pradesh
Location: NH-19, Agra-Kanpur stretch
Total Collection: Rs 1,145.72 crore
Situated on a busy highway, Mahuvan plaza generates significant toll revenue from both passenger and freight vehicles.
Toll Revenue: A Key Driver of India’s Road Infrastructure
The Rs 14,000 crore collected by the top 10 toll plazas over five years plays a vital role in financing India’s infrastructure projects. The revenue is utilized for:
Road maintenance and upgrades: Regular repairs, resurfacing, and widening projects.
Funding new infrastructure: Revenue supports the construction of new highways and expressways.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) repayment: Toll revenue helps service debts taken under PPP models for road development.
Technology enhancement: Investment in FASTag and electronic toll collection systems to reduce congestion and increase efficiency.
Factors Behind the Toll Revenue Surge
Several factors have contributed to the increase in toll collections across India:
Rising vehicle ownership: Growing sales of passenger and commercial vehicles have led to higher highway usage.
Expanding highway network: The construction of new expressways and four-lane highways has increased the number of toll plazas.
FASTag implementation: The adoption of electronic toll collection (ETC) has minimized revenue leakages and improved efficiency.
Increased freight traffic: With economic growth, freight movement has surged, boosting toll collections.
Challenges in Toll Collection
Despite the massive revenue generation, toll collection in India faces several challenges:
Congestion at toll booths: Although FASTag has improved processing speed, peak-hour congestion persists at some plazas.
Toll evasion: Revenue leakage due to toll dodging and corruption remains a concern.
Public protests: Local residents often oppose toll collections, demanding exemptions or removal of toll plazas.
Inefficient management: Delays in infrastructure upgrades and lack of staff at some plazas lead to inefficiencies.
Future of Toll Collection in India
The government is working towards enhancing toll collection efficiency by:
Expanding FASTag usage: Increasing the penetration of electronic toll collection to reduce cash transactions.
Satellite-based tolling: Exploring GPS-based tolling systems to enable seamless, distance-based payments.
Widening highways: Expanding high-traffic routes to reduce congestion and increase vehicle flow.
Conclusion: Toll Revenue Driving Infrastructure Development
The Rs 14,000 crore collected by India’s top 10 toll plazas over the last five years highlights the increasing role of tolls in funding the country’s road infrastructure. With ongoing highway expansion projects and rising vehicle movement, toll collections are expected to grow further.
This revenue will continue to play a critical role in maintaining and expanding India’s highway network, ensuring smoother and safer travel experiences for millions of commuters.
