Bhubaneswar: Traveling on India’s highways and expressways is set to become more expensive as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) enforces a toll tax hike starting at midnight on March 31.
The updated rates, effective April 1, will impact both commuters and commercial operators on major routes, including the Lucknow highways, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9, and the Delhi-Jaipur highway. This marks the second toll increase within a year, following the previous hike in June 2024.
The NHAI has issued notifications detailing the new toll rates for various toll plazas. On highways passing through Lucknow, such as Lucknow-Kanpur, Ayodhya, Raebareli, and Barabanki, light vehicles like cars will see an increase of INR 5 to INR 10 per trip, while heavy vehicles face a steeper hike of INR 20 to INR 25.
The Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and NH-9 are also affected. For instance, the one-way toll for cars and jeeps traveling from Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut will rise from INR 165 to INR 170. Light commercial vehicles and buses will now pay INR 275, while trucks will be charged INR 580 per trip. At the Chhijarsi toll plaza on NH-9, car tolls will increase from INR 170 to INR 175, light commercial vehicles to INR 280, and buses and trucks to INR 590. Vehicles carrying goods with more than seven axles will face the highest jump, with tolls rising by INR 590. Additionally, the toll from Ghaziabad to Meerut will increase from INR 70 to INR 75. These rates will remain at their current levels until March 31, with the new tariffs kicking in the following day.
On the Delhi-Jaipur highway, the Kherki Daula toll plaza will see changes as well. While tolls for cars and jeeps remain unchanged, larger vehicles will incur an additional INR 5 per journey. The monthly pass at this plaza will now cost INR 950, up from INR 930—a INR 20 increase. Commercial cars and jeeps will pay INR 85 per side, with their monthly pass rising from INR 1225 to INR 1255. Light motor vehicles (LMVs) and mini buses will see single-journey tolls increase from INR 120 to INR 125.
The toll hike has sparked mixed reactions. While some commuters acknowledge the need for infrastructure funding, others lament the frequent increases.
The NHAI has assured that the additional revenue will support ongoing highway maintenance and expansion projects. As of now, tolls will be collected at the existing rates until midnight on March 31, 2025, after which the new rates will apply nationwide. Travelers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly as these changes take effect.