Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Leader Raghav Chadha on Monday described India’s highway toll collection as “organised loot,” claiming that mismanagement and excessive charges were placing an “unbearable” burden on commuters. Speaking during a zero-hour mention in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha said toll payments had become a form of “harassment” for road users.
Chadha highlighted that Indians already face high taxation on vehicle purchases, fuel, and road infrastructure. “On top of these, toll is to be paid on highways. This is becoming unbearable for citizens,” he said, urging the government to address the cumulative financial burden on commuters.
The MP also criticised poor road conditions, pointing to potholes, insufficient lane markings, poor lighting, and inadequate safety infrastructure. He argued that such deficiencies contribute to thousands of road accidents annually and exacerbate delays at toll plazas due to congestion and mismanagement.
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Chadha referenced recent Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir High Court rulings, which barred operators from collecting tolls on poorly maintained roads. He further alleged that toll collection often continues even after road construction costs have been fully recovered, calling it “legalised loot.”
He proposed a solution to reduce commuter suffering: any delay exceeding five minutes at a toll plaza should automatically grant vehicles free passage. Chadha warned that hidden costs such as lost productivity, wasted fuel, and mental stress impose a significant invisible burden on the economy.
Other MPs also raised issues during the zero-hour session. Samajwadi Party’s Javed Ali Khan highlighted gaps in Ayushman Bharat coverage in Uttar Pradesh, BJD’s Muzibulla Khan demanded a medical college in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district, and BJP’s Manan Kumar Mishra called for double-laning the Gorakhpur-Gopalganj-Chapra rail line.
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