MP Roads Turn Expensive and Deadly: Toll Collection Doubles While Deaths from Potholes Triple

Bhopal, MP: Travel on National Highways in Madhya Pradesh has become both costlier and more dangerous, according to recent data presented in Parliament. Over the past four years, toll collection on the state’s highways has doubled to ₹4,188 crore, while deaths caused by potholes have tripled to 277. MP ranks second in the country for pothole-related fatalities, after Uttar Pradesh.

Toll Collection vs Road Safety

In 2020–21, toll revenue in MP stood at ₹2,178.19 crore, with 96 people losing their lives due to pothole-related accidents. By 2024–25, toll collection rose to ₹4,188.15 crore, while deaths surged threefold to 277. This means that, on average, a person dies every other day due to potholes, while approximately ₹23 crore is collected in tolls every two days.

Central Concern Highlighted

The concerning trend continues despite repeated warnings. In November 2022, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari visited Mandla and expressed anger over the poor quality of highways, instructing officials to rectify the situation. Between 2020 and 2024, India recorded 9,438 deaths due to potholes, with 969 occurring in MP alone.

Extensive Highway Network

Madhya Pradesh has over 9,300 kilometers of National Highways, though its road density is below the national average—162.20 km per 100 sq km compared to 201.28 km nationally. The government has sanctioned ₹3 lakh crore in road projects for the state, of which ₹75,000 crore is completed, ₹65,000 crore is ongoing, and projects worth ₹1.5 lakh crore are in planning for approximately 2,500 km of highways.