Gadkari defends Rs 8,000 crore toll collection, addresses question on Delhi-Jaipur highway

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed public concerns over excessive toll collections during the News18 Chaupal. Responding to a question about why Rs 8,000 crore has been collected as toll tax from the Manoharpur Toll Plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway despite the road construction costing only Rs 1,900 crore, Gadkari explained that tolls are not collected in one go and that there are many expenses involved in the process.

Gadkari emphasized that projects like road construction often require long-term loans, which add to the cost over time. He used an example to illustrate the situation, saying, “If you buy a car or a house in cash, its price is Rs 2.5 lakhs. But if you take a loan for 10 years, the cost rises to Rs 5.5 to 6 lakhs because interest must be paid regularly. Similarly, road projects also incur additional costs over time, often funded by loans.”

Delhi-Jaipur highway delays explained

Focusing on the challenges with the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH-8), Gadkari explained that the project was initially sanctioned in 2009 during the UPA government’s tenure, and several issues have since delayed its completion. He noted that nine banks were involved in the project, which faced several roadblocks. “The contractors left, banks filed court cases, and we had to bring in new contractors. Even the new contractors were terminated,” he said, adding that the Delhi High Court later issued a stay order.

Gadkari further mentioned that the road project faced difficulties because of encroachments along the highway, especially as the government aimed to expand it to six lanes. He noted that recent rains had further complicated the construction efforts.

Addressing broader concerns about the country’s infrastructure development, Gadkari highlighted India’s economic growth, stating that the country is now the fifth-largest economy in the world and is aspiring to become the third-largest. He also mentioned the government’s ambitious road development plans. In the first 100 days of the third term of the Narendra Modi-led government, the Cabinet approved eight road projects worth Rs 51,000 crore. Additionally, Gadkari’s department aims to complete projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore by March next year.

The Union Minister’s remarks come after an RTI query revealed that Rs 8,000 crore had been collected at the Manoharpur Toll Plaza in Rajasthan, which raised concerns among citizens about excessive toll charges, especially considering the original cost of the highway project.

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