AAP MP Raghav Chadha calls highway tolls “Organised Loot” during Rajya Sabha Zero Hour

AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday raised serious concerns in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, terming the current system of highway toll collection as “organised loot.” He highlighted the multiple layers of direct and indirect taxes that citizens already pay for road infrastructure, despite which the condition of national highways remains alarming.

Chadha pointed out that citizens effectively pay road taxes in three different ways. “First, a road tax is paid when purchasing a new vehicle, along with GST. Second, whenever they buy petrol or diesel, they pay a road development cess. Third, toll tax is collected again at toll plazas,” he noted.

“After paying taxes in so many different ways, any citizen would naturally expect well-maintained roads — proper drainage systems, adequate street lighting, clearly demarcated lanes, and safety infrastructure. But what people actually get are neglected, potholed roads that pose serious danger and often lead to accidents,” he said.

Referring to a Kerala High Court judgment, Chadha reminded the House that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has no right to collect tolls on incomplete or poorly maintained roads.

The AAP MP also raised the issue of massive time loss caused by long queues at toll plazas. “Highways are meant to ensure seamless connectivity, but what we see is endless congestion. Citizens lose precious time waiting, fuel consumption increases as engines remain running, and productivity is affected. People have even missed exams and job interviews because of delays at toll gates,” he pointed out.

Chadha urged the government to enforce a rule that vehicles should be allowed to pass for free if they are made to wait for more than five minutes at any toll plaza. He stressed that such measures are necessary to protect citizens’ time, money, and safety.

His remarks have added fresh momentum to public debate over toll collection practices and highway maintenance in India.

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