The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has reported the collection of Rs 53,536.48 crore in toll fees through FASTag on national highways from the fiscal year 2020-21 until November 23, 2023, according to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. The breakdown of collections is as follows: Rs 5,974.72 crore in 2020-21, Rs 11,303.24 crore in 2021-22, Rs 18,843.36 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 17,415.16 crore in 2023-24 up to November 23.
Addressing another query, Minister Gadkari provided details on the cost escalation under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I. As of October 31, 2023, a total expenditure of Rs 4.10 lakh crore has been incurred. The variance between the actual project cost and the normative cost is attributed to factors such as increased raw material costs, higher land acquisition expenses, the construction of high-speed corridors, and an increase in GST rates.
He clarified that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had approved Phase I of the Bharatmala Pariyojana in 2017, covering the development of 34,800 km of national highway corridors with a total outlay of Rs 5.35 lakh crore. The initial approval was based on normative cost and not on detailed project reports (DPRs). Subsequently, DPRs were prepared and obtained approval for each project.
Minister Gadkari emphasized that there has been no diversion of funds from other schemes during the execution of Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I. Some projects initially planned under other schemes were reprioritized under Bharatmala Pariyojana based on network planning, including Externally Aided Project (EAP), National Highways Original works NH(O), and the SARDP scheme.