Toll collection at national highways could decline up to 8% with the launch of the ₹3,000 annual toll pass for private vehicles from August 15, though highways users could see savings of up to 80%, two ratings agencies said while suggesting that the government devise a reimbursement mechanism to compensate toll operators for the revenue loss.
“We estimate 7-8% impact in toll revenue for the sample project length of 5,000 km considering 20% contribution of cars in toll revenue with an assumption of 50% private passenger vehicle and 75% user adoption rate,” CareEdge Ratings said on Wednesday.
“This event is likely to be considered as a change in law for release of suitable co mpensation to toll operators,” it said, suggesting a potential annual compensation of ₹3,000-5,000 crore which can be met through income from toll passes.
According to Crisil Ratings, assuming a third of private vehicle owners purchase the annual pass, revenue of toll operators would decline 4-8%. “This may need to be compensated for,” it said.
