Toll Charges Removed from Key Highways, Expressways in 2025

The government has announced a sweeping exemption of toll charges on a vast network of national and state highways, effective from 2025.

This decision, which will impact over 120 road segments across India, aims to ease the financial burden on travellers, foster smoother traffic movement, and promote economic activity in various regions. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed that the toll-free initiative will cover critical highways and expressways, including those in high-density regions such as Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, and southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. According to government officials, the key focus of this policy is to reduce congestion at toll booths, cut down on long wait times, and reduce the overall cost of travel, thereby encouraging seamless connectivity and boosting regional economic dynamics.

The plan includes the Delhi-NCR region, where major expressways like the Gurugram-Sohna and Eastern Peripheral Expressways will be free of tolls. These highways serve as crucial routes for both passengers and goods, and the removal of toll charges is expected to lead to faster travel times, while also lowering fuel consumption. In Maharashtra, the exemption will apply to several routes connecting Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, which are essential for urban commuting and industrial movement. Further south, several important highways in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala—especially those linking Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—will see the toll charges lifted, benefitting local businesses and commuters alike.

A significant part of the policy is focused on the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where toll-free stretches will ease inter-city transit. The move is also expected to provide a boost to industries operating in these areas by lowering logistics costs, thus promoting more robust commercial activity. Notably, stretches within the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), which facilitates goods transportation along vital industrial routes, will also become toll-free. This is seen as a step toward ensuring that critical supply chains remain cost-effective and efficient. The government’s decision stems from a variety of factors, the most pressing being the growing public concern about high toll charges and the resulting economic burden on everyday travellers and transporters. This initiative comes in the wake of public protests against toll hikes at multiple toll plazas across the country. Industry experts argue that the removal of tolls will provide much-needed relief for small businesses, logistics companies, and even individual commuters, who have been bearing the brunt of high transportation costs.

A key objective of the initiative is also to align with the government’s broader vision of reducing vehicular emissions. By making travel more affordable and reducing the number of vehicles idling at toll booths, the move is expected to help lower carbon emissions, contributing to cleaner air quality and improved sustainability in urban areas. While the decision is widely viewed as a progressive step towards improving the transportation landscape, it is important to note that tolls will still apply on premium highways and expressways where substantial infrastructure investments have been made. These roads are often designed to offer superior travel experience, reduced travel times, and enhanced safety features. The toll charges on these roads will help maintain the high standards of infrastructure and ensure that their upkeep remains sustainable.

For now, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has indicated that the removal of toll charges on specific routes will be closely monitored, with the intention of adjusting policies should it lead to unforeseen traffic or infrastructure challenges. The government has further announced that a list of the toll-free roads will soon be made available on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website, along with updates on the exemptions. Government officials have stressed that this initiative will be an important tool for improving accessibility and efficiency across the country’s transport networks. It is also seen as a key step towards encouraging sustainable, eco-friendly travel options, in line with India’s commitment to a low-carbon future. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to support the country’s economic recovery, reduce costs for transporters, and promote regional integration.

In the coming months, additional measures are expected to be introduced to further streamline the country’s transport networks. However, experts caution that the removal of tolls alone is not enough to address the deep-rooted issues plaguing the country’s road infrastructure, including poor maintenance of some roads and inconsistent service levels. Further investments will be required to modernise India’s transportation network, particularly in the context of emerging transportation technologies and smart infrastructure. As this new initiative unfolds, it is expected that commuters will benefit from smoother, faster, and more affordable travel options. However, the full impact of the toll-free roads policy will depend on the government’s ability to effectively manage the transition and ensure that all affected infrastructure is well-maintained.

The government’s move is a positive step in making transportation more accessible and sustainable for all, particularly for the urban poor and small businesses who are most affected by the current toll system. Whether this initiative will help India’s broader goal of becoming a zero-carbon economy will depend largely on its implementation and the success of complementary policies aimed at improving public transport, infrastructure sustainability, and emissions reduction.

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Toll Charges Removed from Key Highways, Expressways in 2025