Jaipur and Kishangarh will experience a sharp increase in toll charges as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) revises the toll rates for the route. The changes, which will take effect from the midnight of March 31, will see an increase in toll fees ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 70. For car owners, the toll will rise from Rs 140 to Rs 155, while at Thikaria toll plaza near Bagru and Badgaon toll booth near Kishangarh, charges will increase from Rs 85 to Rs 95 and from Rs 55 to Rs 60, respectively.
For light commercial vehicles and minibuses, the toll will increase from Rs 225 to Rs 240. This marks the latest adjustment in toll charges for one of India’s busiest highways, which sees over 33,000 vehicles pass through the Thikaria toll plaza every day. The total toll revenue collected on this stretch of the highway surpasses Rs 60 lakh daily, highlighting the highway’s significant role in facilitating trade and transportation between Jaipur and Kishangarh. The NHAI has cited the high volume of traffic as a primary reason for the toll hike. Over the past few years, efforts have been made to improve the infrastructure of the Jaipur-Kishangarh highway. Flyovers have been constructed at major intersections, including Heerapura, Narsinghpura, and Mahlan, to streamline traffic flow and reduce congestion. With the completion of the Bhankrota flyover, which addresses one of the ten identified ‘black spots’ on this route, all major junctions have been effectively upgraded to meet the growing demands of the highway’s traffic.
In addition to the Jaipur-Kishangarh toll adjustments, toll charges for the Southern Ring Road in Jaipur, which connects the Ajmer Bypass to the Agra Bypass, will also see a revision. Currently, the toll for cars using the full 47-kilometre stretch is Rs 120, while light commercial vehicles and minibuses pay Rs 195. While the exact figures for this toll hike are still to be announced, commuters can expect a similar upward adjustment starting April 1.
This hike in toll rates comes at a time when the government is focusing on improving road infrastructure to facilitate smoother travel and enhance economic connectivity. However, it also raises concerns over the rising cost of transportation, which could impact commuters, particularly those using the highway regularly for work or business purposes. While the infrastructure improvements are necessary to manage the high traffic volume, the toll increase may add a burden to daily travellers, especially in the context of rising fuel prices and inflation. As infrastructure projects continue to reshape the region’s roadways, stakeholders will need to balance development with the economic realities faced by local commuters.
