Indore-Ahmedabad Highway tolls collect huge sum:Despite 160 crore collected, potholes remain widespread, troubling over 1 lakh drivers every single day

The 155 km long Indore-Ahmedabad highway, which earns around ₹160 crore in annual tolls, is now in a very poor condition. Large potholes have appeared, and most of the patchwork has worn off. More than 1 lakh vehicles travel on this highway every day, facing major difficulties. Frequent accidents are reported due to the damaged road. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), responsible for maintenance, has not taken proper action. Meanwhile, a section of Machliya Ghat, built at a cost of ₹200 crore, has been closed for a long time because of road subsidence caused by water leakage. This is adding to the troubles of drivers. Drivers also face problems from poor-quality speed breakers, damaged dividers, and people taking U-turns at random places, making accidents likely. Experts say the situation is becoming similar to the dangerous conditions at Ganesh Ghat. Patchwork completely worn out NHAI had floated a tender worth 100 crore rupees in 2024 for the repair of the highway at the expense of the toll operator. However, the patchwork done last year has completely come off. The road repair work is the responsibility of the toll operator – IVRCL, but it is being neglected by them. Highest Toll on This Route The surprising thing is that the highest toll collection happens on this route. On the way from Indore to Ahmedabad, passengers have to pay toll at three places – Methwada, Dattigaon, and Machliya Ghat, which is almost double the toll charged on other highways. On the three tolls between Indore-Dewas-Byawara – Mangaliya, Maksi, and Rajgarh, vehicles have to pay a toll of 100, 145, and 105 rupees, i.e., 350 rupees, covering a journey of 200 km. Whereas the journey from Indore to Gujarat Highway is only 155 km, and a total of 355 rupees has to be paid. DPR cost 160 crore, but contract given for 103 crore rupees
NHAI has started the construction of 7 underpasses on the Indore-Gujarat Highway, which falls on the border of Dhar and Indore districts. New structures will be built at Pithampur Junction, Betma Junction, Ghatabillod, Dhar, Chikaliya, Mangod, and Kukshi Junction. The special thing is that while preparing the DPR, its total cost was estimated at 160 crore rupees, but the contract was given for only 103 crore rupees. This may affect the quality of underpass construction. These contracts have been awarded to a Delhi-based company. Divider plants eaten by animals
Regarding the poor condition of the highway, city RTI activist Rajendra Singh has filed a complaint with the ministry. It has raised issues such as U-turns, substandard rumble strips, and depletion of divider plants. The maintenance of the Indore-Ahmedabad Highway is the responsibility of the agency collecting the toll. Last year, the repair contract was awarded at their expense. Repairs will be done soon. Meanwhile, Machliya Ghat is being rebuilt. Its work will also be completed in a few days. The target is to complete the underpass construction work by 2027. – Praveen Yadav, NHAI, Project Director NHAI gave illogical answers to some complaints. In response to the complaint about plants being stolen from the divider, NHAI replied that these plants are often eaten by animals or stolen by local residents, whereas according to guidelines, there is a provision to plant such plants in the divider that animals cannot eat or that are thorny.