New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to intensify deliberations on the collection of toll tax at the city’s border points, as concerns over air pollution, traffic congestion and municipal revenue converge into a critical policy challenge. A key committee of the civic body is likely to take up the issue in detail, with the objective of presenting a unified and well-considered stand before the Supreme Court.


According to official sources, councillors on Wednesday advised the MCD’s Standing Committee to evolve a consolidated position on toll tax collection, keeping in view the court proceedings as well as the city’s administrative realities. Committee chairperson Satya Sharma indicated that a special meeting of all councillors and senior officials would be convened shortly to discuss the matter threadbare and firm up the corporation’s legal and policy response.


During the meeting, councillor Rajpal Singh pointed out that the Supreme Court has taken note of the growing concerns related to pollution and traffic congestion at toll plazas located on Delhi’s borders. He suggested the formation of a dedicated committee to prepare a comprehensive plan that balances environmental considerations with the need for efficient toll collection.


Senior MCD officials underlined that toll tax remains a vital source of revenue for the civic body, contributing nearly ₹900 crore annually. This income, they said, plays a crucial role in funding essential civic services such as sanitation, public health, road maintenance and other development works. Any disruption in toll collection, officials cautioned, could have a direct adverse impact on the corporation’s finances and its ability to deliver basic services to citizens.


The Supreme Court has also directed authorities to examine various alternatives, including temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas and the exploration of revenue-sharing mechanisms, with the aim of easing traffic flow and reducing pollution at border points.


At the same meeting, the committee reviewed 21 other proposals. Seven were approved, one was rejected and the remaining were deferred. Among the deferred items was a proposal to establish a medical college with an associated hospital at the premises of the Rajan Babu Institute of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis in Kingsway Camp. The committee also approved an extension of the deadline for the one-time property tax amnesty scheme for 2025–26.


Overall, the toll tax issue has emerged as more than a revenue concern, evolving into a broader debate encompassing environmental protection, traffic management and urban governance. The outcome of the MCD’s forthcoming deliberations is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of toll collection at Delhi’s borders.