₹13 cr toll tax collected daily in Gujarat, yet roads remain patchy, pothole-ridden

Gujarat ranks fourth in India in terms of toll tax collection, yet the state’s roads and highways continue to remain in poor condition, as per reports. On an average, around ₹13 crore is collected daily at toll booths across Gujarat, but commuters still face pothole-ridden roads and long traffic jams, even on national highways.

With monsoon, roads across Gujarat, including city roads and national highways, have deteriorated further. Some highways are so damaged that it takes commuters over an hour to cover just 10 km due to potholes and broken patches. Despite collecting around ₹4,874 crore annually from tolls, the condition of Gujarat’s roads and highways remains concerning.

Gujarat highways

Gujarat is connected by several major national highways, including NH-8 (Ahmedabad-Limbdi-Morbi-Kandla), NH-8B (Rajkot-Gondal-Jetpur-Porbandar), NH-8C (Chiloda-Gandhinagar-Sarkhej), NH-56 (Chittorgarh-Vapi), and NH-51 (Dwarka-Gandevi-Porbandar-Mangrol-Veraval-Somnath), along with highways numbered 27, 47, 58, 147, 147D, 148, and 151.

In terms of toll tax collection, Uttar Pradesh tops the list, collecting ₹6,695 crore annually with an average daily collection of ₹18 crore. Rajasthan follows closely with ₹6,649 crore, while Maharashtra ranks third with ₹5,000 crore, and Gujarat stands fourth with ₹4,874 crore. Over the past five years, toll tax collections across India have increased by 50%, indicating a steady rise in public contribution for road infrastructure.

However, despite these significant collections, road maintenance remains inadequate. Recently, a bridge collapse in Vadodara claimed 18 lives, highlighting concerns over government negligence and infrastructure safety. Additionally, potholes and damaged roads have become a daily hazard for commuters, leading to health issues such as back pain, neck pain, and increased stress.

Citizens continue to question why, despite paying substantial toll taxes, they are forced to travel on poorly maintained roads, risking their lives daily.

Toll income earned from various toll plazas in Gujarat (₹ Crores)