The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to implement a significant toll tax hike across multiple highways starting from April 1, 2025.
The increase, which will affect commuters and commercial operators, is being applied to several key routes, including the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9, Lucknow highways, and the Delhi-Jaipur highway. This marks the second toll increase in a year, following a similar rise in June 2024. The revised toll rates, effective from midnight on March 31, 2025, will impact both light vehicles and heavier commercial vehicles. In cities such as Lucknow, the toll rates on routes like Lucknow-Kanpur, Ayodhya, and Barabanki will see modest hikes of INR 5 to INR 10 for cars. However, larger vehicles, including trucks, will experience steeper increases of INR 20 to INR 25.
These changes aim to balance toll collection with the rising costs of highway maintenance and expansion. Notably, some of the busiest highways will also see toll hikes. On the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, the one-way toll for cars 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 face a toll of INR 580. Similarly, on NH-9, car tolls will increase from INR 170 to INR 175, while larger vehicles will experience even more significant increases. The Delhi-Jaipur highway, particularly the Kherki Daula toll plaza, will also see changes. While tolls for smaller vehicles like cars and jeeps will remain unchanged, the toll for heavier vehicles will increase by INR 5 per trip. Monthly passes for commuters will also experience a small increase, with the monthly pass for commercial cars rising from INR 930 to INR 950.
The decision to raise toll rates has sparked mixed reactions from commuters. While some acknowledge that these hikes are necessary for the maintenance and expansion of India’s vast highway network, others have expressed concerns over the cumulative impact of such increases on their travel expenses. The frequent toll hikes have raised questions about the affordability of long-distance travel, especially for truck operators and goods transport services that rely heavily on these highways. The NHAI, however, has defended the hike, stating that the additional revenue generated will be used for ongoing projects aimed at improving the quality of highways, reducing congestion, and enhancing road safety. The money will also help fund the construction of new stretches of highways and improve the overall infrastructure, contributing to long-term benefits for the country’s transportation network.
The toll increases will apply from April 1, and commuters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly. As the tolls rise across various parts of the country, questions remain about the sustainability of frequent price hikes, and whether the government can implement measures to reduce the financial burden on everyday travelers while ensuring continued infrastructure development.
