Toll and road taxes have risen, and NHAI’s liabilities have increased—yet why are the roads in such a dilapidated state?

Toll and road taxes have risen, and NHAI’s liabilities have increased—yet why are the roads in such a dilapidated state? Demand for an independent inquiry and a CAG Performance/Compliance Audit regarding NHAI’s toll revenue, debt, project costs, and maintenance expenses from 2014-15 to 2025-26. New Delhi, August 11, 2026 Serious public concerns are being raised regarding the poor condition of roads—including potholes, drainage issues, dilapidated service roads, and road safety hazards—at numerous locations, despite the continuous rise in toll/user fees and road-related taxes, as well as the availability of public financial resources for national highways. Addressing this issue, Gopal Prasad (RTI activist) has submitted a joint memorandum-cum-complaint to the Hon'ble Prime Minister, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. He has demanded an independent, record-based inquiry into NHAI’s financial status, toll revenue, debt/liabilities, project expenditure, asset monetization, and road maintenance expenditure for the period from 2014-15 to 2025-26. The core question—where is public money being utilized? Gopal Prasad stated that this complaint is not intended to level pre-conceived allegations of corruption against any individual or institution; rather, its objective is to ensure transparency, record-based verification, and accountability regarding public funds. He raised the following question— “When toll/user fees are continuously collected from road users and budgetary as well as other public financial resources are available for national highways, why do the road quality and maintenance standards on many national highway stretches fall short of expected levels?” Demand for an independent review of NHAI’s debt and financial liabilities The memorandum seeks a year-wise verification of NHAI’s outstanding liabilities/debt from 2014-15 to 2025-26, an examination of details regarding market borrowings and repayments, and a review of the financial implications associated with interest payments on loans and refinancing/swapping arrangements. It also calls for an investigation into the following: Year-wise collection of toll/user-fee revenue. The actual heads of expenditure for these funds. The proportion of toll revenue reinvested (ploughed back) into operations. The amount received by NHAI from the Union Budget. Funds generated through Asset Monetisation/TOT/InvIT and their utilization. Project-wise sanctioned costs, revised costs, and actual expenditures. Reasons for cost escalations and changes in project scope. Year-wise expenditure on maintenance. Funds allocated to debt servicing. Instances of avoidable expenditure or financial irregularities in any project. Questions raised regarding toll collection despite poor road conditions The memorandum specifically demands the identification of, and independent technical inspections for, highway stretches where toll collection continues despite complaints about poor road conditions. Furthermore, it requests an examination of whether relevant concession agreements, toll rules, maintenance obligations, and contractual conditions are being adhered to. It demands that if any project reveals deficient work, contractual violations, maintenance failures, or recoverable financial losses, the contractual liability of the concerned contractor/concessionaire be fixed, and penalties, liquidated damages, performance security, or other legally due amounts be recovered. Demand for a special Performance/Compliance Audit by the CAG The memorandum requests the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to conduct a special audit covering the following broad subject: “NHAI – Toll Revenue, Borrowings, Debt Servicing, Project Expenditure, Maintenance Expenditure, Asset Monetisation and Road Quality: 2014-15 onwards.” The proposed audit also seeks to verify the actual level of compliance regarding audit observations previously raised by the CAG concerning NHAI’s toll operations and highway projects. **Comparative audit of project costs and current road conditions** Gopal Prasad has demanded the preparation of a public "Cost–Expenditure–Condition" comparative assessment for major national highway projects, which should provide a comparative breakdown of at least the following: Sanctioned Cost → Revised Cost → Actual Expenditure → Maintenance Expenditure → Current physical condition of the road. He states that this would clarify the discrepancy between the sanctioned amount and actual expenditure for a project, as well as the road's current quality and utility in relation to that expenditure. **Demand for preservation of records** The memorandum urges the concerned officials to preserve original financial records, project files, tender documents, concession agreements, toll collection records, inspection reports, audit records, and digital records. This is to ensure that necessary documents remain available during the investigation and to eliminate any possibility of record alteration or destruction. **Demand for public disclosure and Action Taken Report** Gopal Prasad has demanded that critical financial and project-related information regarding the NHAI be made public to the greatest extent possible through *suo motu* disclosure. He has also demanded that an Action Taken Report (ATR) be provided to the complainant upon the completion of the investigation or proceedings, and that in instances where a concerned official lacks jurisdiction. Gopal Prasad (RTI Activist), Delhi Email: sampoornkranti2025@gmail.com X: @varanasilok2024 #NHAI #NitinGadkari #pressconference #pressrelease #RTIactivist #RTIAct #gopalprasad #gopalprasadrtiactivist #Gopal_PrasadRTI_activist_Delhi #rti_activist_ #RTI_Activist_Delhi #Complaint #complained