J&K High Court Slashes Toll Fee by 80% Until Lakhanpur-Udhampur Highway Becomes Fully Operational
JAMMU, Feb 25: The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, in a significant judgment, has provided major relief to the people of the Union Territories and pilgrims visiting the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M. A. Chowdhary has directed the concerned authorities to revoke the decision to redistribute the toll collection influence length between Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas following the closure of Thandi Khui Toll Plaza. This revocation must be implemented within a week. Furthermore, the court has ordered an immediate reduction in the toll fee at Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas, mandating that only 20 percent of the previously levied charges be collected until the National Highway from Lakhanpur to Udhampur is fully operational for public use.
Additionally, the Division Bench has ruled that no toll plaza shall be established within a 60-kilometer stretch along National Highway-44. It has also directed the removal of any existing toll plazas that fall within this radius in both Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh within two months. Expressing concern over the proliferation of toll plazas, the court warned against their indiscriminate establishment for revenue generation at the expense of the general public.
The court highlighted the exorbitant toll fees being charged at Bann Toll Plaza and other locations, emphasizing that such collections serve to amass wealth for both the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and private contractors, rather than being a fair contribution towards infrastructure development. It stressed that toll fees must be reasonable and not a means of extracting excessive revenue from commuters. The Union Ministry has been directed to reassess and implement fair toll rates across all plazas, ensuring a reduction in the current toll charges. A firm deadline of four months has been set for the government to take a decision on this matter.
In another crucial directive, the court has mandated that toll plaza contractors refrain from employing individuals with criminal backgrounds. It instructed that all personnel deployed at toll plazas must undergo police verification before being appointed. Any deviation from this directive would hold the concerned station house officer (SHO) or person in charge personally accountable.
The judgment was issued in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking exemption from toll tax at Lakhanpur, Thandi Khui, and Ban Toll Plazas until the completion of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, ensuring smooth transit for the public. The petitioners argued that despite large sections of National Highway-44 between Pathankot and Udhampur remaining under construction since December 2021, hefty toll fees continued to be collected at these plazas, causing undue burden on commuters. They highlighted the poor road conditions, frequent diversions, and extended travel times, which not only increased fuel consumption but also caused excessive wear and tear on vehicles.
Upon reviewing the toll collection data, the court observed that from March 2015 to December 2024, Bann Toll Plaza amassed a staggering ₹659.54 crore, while Lakhanpur Toll Plaza collected ₹355.77 crore from July 2020 to December 2024. Thandi Khui Toll Plaza, which operated from October 2019 until January 2024, collected ₹227.88 crore. Altogether, these three plazas generated over ₹1,243 crore in toll revenue. The court acknowledged that while toll fees contribute to the development and maintenance of high-quality road infrastructure, their imposition must be fair and justified, rather than serving as a mere revenue-maximizing mechanism.
Raising concerns over the uncontrolled establishment of toll plazas, the court underscored the need for a balanced approach, ensuring that these facilities do not become an undue financial burden on commuters. It also flagged reports that several toll plaza contractors had illegally employed individuals with criminal backgrounds, describing this as a serious public safety concern.
With this ruling, the court has reinforced the principle that toll taxation must align with infrastructure availability, fairness, and public welfare rather than becoming a means for unchecked profiteering. The verdict is expected to significantly ease the financial strain on residents and travelers, bringing a more equitable toll-collection system into effect.
