The highways ministry has formed a panel to establish measurable criteria for determining commuter inconvenience on national highway (NH) stretches, which will help decide when toll collection can be suspended or reduced. This decision addresses growing public outcry and high court observations regarding the collection of user fees on poorly maintained national highways. The panel is expected to submit its findings within a month.

The Supreme Court has previously stated that the public cannot be forced to pay tolls for roads in disrepair. An official stated that there needs to be clear criteria linking toll collection to the riding quality and maintenance of a national highway stretch. Reducing or suspending toll collection due to a few potholes or small damaged portions may not be fair, therefore, there is a need to define inconvenience in a quantifiable, not subjective, manner. Once the committee submits its report, the ministry will work out how to address the issue.

This move by the Ministry aims to bring accountability to road quality and ensure that commuters are not charged for substandard infrastructure. The establishment of measurable standards will provide a transparent and objective framework for making decisions about toll collection on national highways.