In what might bring relief to commuters traveling on national highways, the road ministry is mulling over a proposal to reduce toll to only 40% of the prevailing rate after a period of 30 years.

The policy, if approved, will be applicably to only such highway stretches which are funded by the government. Presently there are a little over 100 public funded highway stretches across India which are under toll.

The idea, according to road ministry officials is to provide relief to commuters from paying full toll in perpetuity. “We are considering including a provision in the existing toll rules that if the capital investment in building a public funded highway stretch is recovered or once it completes 30 years – whichever comes first – the toll would automatically be reduced to 40%,” said a senior road ministry official.