Parliament's Public Accounts Committee reviews toll fee regulation, examines levy of user charges on public infrastructure
New Delhi, July 15
The Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday met in Parliament to examine the levy and regulation of fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure and public utilities.
The meeting, chaired by Congress MP and PAC Chairperson K C Venugopal, began with a briefing by audit authorities, followed by oral evidence from representatives of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other organisations concerned.
The committee is reviewing the subject, "Levy and regulation of fees, tariffs, user charges, etc. on public infrastructure and other public utilities", as part of its parliamentary oversight of public expenditure and infrastructure financing.
The meeting follows the PAC's previous sitting on July 2, during which the committee examined the implementation and effectiveness of centrally sponsored welfare schemes in the education sector.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see parliamentary oversight on this. In many countries, user charges on public infrastructure are transparent and linked to actual service quality. India could learn from that model. 🇮🇳
Toll fees have become like a second tax for common citizens. ₹50 here, ₹100 there—it adds up. The government should consider toll rationalization, especially for daily commuters. Also, why is there no discount for state highways?
Good that PAC is doing this review. But I hope they also look at how much money goes into maintenance vs. administrative costs. Too many toll plazas with outdated technology causing long queues—waste of fuel and time.
A necessary step. User charges should be fair and not burden the poor disproportionately. Glad to see both ruling and opposition MPs working on this through the committee system.
Every time I drive from Delhi to Chandigarh, I pay at least 4-5 tolls. The concession periods for private operators are too long. Hope the committee investigates if these contracts are benefiting the public or just private profits. 👀
While the PAC's focus is welcome, I wish they'd also discuss free public alternatives. Not everyone can afford toll roads. Basic roads without
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