Delhi tolls to undergo modernisation soon; Check key details

PWD Minister Parvesh Verma has ordered immediate steps to modernise toll collection across Delhi, recover pending revenues, and remove illegal encroachments during a UT-level coordination committee meeting.

The meeting, aimed at resolving issues between the NHAI and MCD, was attended by senior officials from NHAI, Delhi Traffic Police, PWD, BSES, Delhi Jal Board, Environment Department, MCD, Revenue Department, and the Power Department. Verma stressed the need for better coordination and adoption of technology to strengthen highway infrastructure and ease traffic management in the city.

He also reviewed major traffic choke points, including the Sirhol-Rajokri border (NH-48), Package-I toll plaza on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Badarpur border (NH-19/44), Dwarka Expressway toll plaza near Bijwasan, and the UER-II stretch between Najafgarh and Bahadurgarh—identified as key obstacles to commuter and freight movement.


In line with this, the minister instructed the swift adoption of gantry-based tolling systems utilising ANPR cameras, RFID readers, and FASTag integration to replace outdated toll collection methods. "Delhi must lead in adopting technology for efficient traffic management," he said.

Financial concerns dominated part of the discussion, with focus on pending dues of ₹50.18 crore in rent at the Rajokri toll plaza and delayed user fee payments from the Badarpur elevated fee plaza. Verma directed agencies to speed up recovery, emphasizing that public funds must be quickly deployed for improved roads and services.

The meeting also took up the issue of illegal encroachments along Urban Extension Road-II near the Najafgarh-Bahadurgarh Road. The minister instructed the MCD to ensure immediate removal and strongly criticized the illegal dumping of waste on this stretch, calling for strict accountability from responsible parties.

"Encroachments and dumping are not just administrative failures, they are direct obstructions to Delhi's progress," he said.

The committee also highlighted widespread illegal hoardings and advertisements under the Mahipalpur flyover (NH-48), along the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (NH-9), and on the Delhi-Saharanpur stretch (NH-709B). Concerns were raised over unauthorised MCD parking near Gandhi Nagar on the NH-709B elevated road.

Verma directed strict enforcement to clear these illegal structures, stressing that highways must remain obstruction-free and safe for commuters.

Maintenance concerns for key infrastructure such as the Mahipalpur flyover and the Badarpur elevated section of NH-2 were reviewed, with the Minister calling for urgent repair and upkeep to prevent costly damages and commuter inconvenience. Additionally, the committee examined illegal sewerage connections into stormwater drains along national highways, which threaten road integrity and exacerbate monsoon flooding. Strict instructions were given to disconnect these connections and penalise violators.