Toll on NH crossed Rs 61k crore in FY25; state highways generate over Rs 11k

NEW DELHI: Toll collection on National Highways touched an all-time high of around Rs 61,500 crore during the last financial year, which was also an increase of more than 10% over what was collected in 2023-24, while around 10,500 km of NHs were constructed during FY25, ending March 31.

Data showed that state highways and expressways under state govts such as the Ganga, Yamuna and Purvanchal expressways in Uttar Pradesh and Samrudhhi Mahamarg in Maharashtra generated around Rs 12,000 crore. “The overall toll collection through FASTag on NHs, expressways and state highways was little over Rs 72,000 crore. This is also the highest-ever toll collection across all roads under Centre and states,” a source said.

The toll collection has increased as more highways and roads have been brought under tolling. For example, only in NHs and expressways, 4,793 more kms were added to the tolling length, taking the total to 51,677 km.

Officials said the overall NH construction during the last financial year was around 10,500 km, which is the third-highest in the past five years. Highway construction during 2023-24 was 12,349 km.

Sources said the decline in highway construction during the last year was due to reduction in the pace of bidding out of highway projects. They added that there was a possibility that this trend could continue in the next couple years.

Meanwhile, the Indian Railways registered its highest ever earnings of Rs 2.7 lakh crore during the last financial year, transporting 1,617 million tonnes (MTs) of freight and 735 crore passengers.

While the increase in freight movement was incremental, passenger transport saw a 6% rise as compared to the previous year. The railways also recorded its highest ever manufacturing of coaches, wagons and locomotives.

Officials said the revenue from freight movement touched Rs 1.75 lakh crore during FY25 compared to Rs 1.7 lakh crore during the previous year. In the passenger segment, the earnings from fare was around Rs 75,500 crore compared to Rs 70,693 crore in FY24.

Sources said the railway achieved its maximum ever freight loading by running 44,408 more goods trains and it also added 41,929 more wagons to its fleet last year.

“The focus was on adding wagons for goods and coaches to meet growing passenger requirements. Out of the 7,134 coaches manufactured last year, 4,601 were non-AC and the remaining 2,533 were AC. This shows the govt’s commitment to make more trains and coaches available for low and middle class passengers,” said an official.