Driving on Indian highways is about to become more expensive! The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a toll tax hike effective from April 1, 2025, impacting commuters and commercial vehicle operators across key routes. This increase comes less than a year after the previous hike in June 2024.
If you frequently travel on Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, or major highways in Lucknow, be prepared to pay higher toll charges. Here’s a breakdown of the revised toll rates and how they will affect your travel costs.
Which Roads and Highways Will See a Toll Hike?
The toll tax revision will affect several major expressways and highways, including:
- Lucknow-Kanpur, Ayodhya, Raebareli, and Barabanki highways
- Delhi-Meerut Expressway
- Eastern Peripheral Expressway
- NH-9 (Ghaziabad to Meerut stretch)
- Delhi-Jaipur Highway (Kherki Daula Toll Plaza)
Updated Toll Rates – What’s Changing?
The toll rates have been revised for different vehicle categories, leading to increased travel expenses for both private and commercial vehicles.
Lucknow and Nearby Highways
- Small vehicles (cars, jeeps, SUVs): Increase of ₹5-₹10 per trip
- Heavy commercial vehicles (trucks, buses): Hike of ₹20-₹25 per trip
Delhi-Meerut Expressway & NH-9
- Cars & Jeeps (Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut): ₹165 → ₹170
- Light commercial vehicles & buses: ₹275 per trip
- Trucks: ₹580 per trip
- Chhijarsi Toll Plaza (NH-9):
- Cars: ₹170 → ₹175
- Light commercial vehicles: ₹280
- Buses & trucks: ₹590
- Heavy vehicles (more than seven axles): ₹590 increase
Delhi-Jaipur Highway (Kherki Daula Toll Plaza)
- Cars & Jeeps: No change
- Bigger vehicles (trucks, buses): ₹5 increase per trip
- Monthly pass: ₹930 → ₹950
- Commercial cars & jeeps: ₹85 per trip
- Light motor vehicles (LMVs) & mini buses: ₹120 → ₹125
Why Is the Toll Fee Increasing?
NHAI reviews and revises toll charges annually to account for:
- Inflation and rising maintenance costs
- Expansion of national highway projects
- Infrastructure upgrades and modernization
The revenue generated from these toll hikes is aimed at improving India’s road network, safety measures, and overall connectivity.
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Impact on Daily Commuters & Businesses
For Regular Travelers
- Daily highway commuters will see a rise in their monthly travel expenses.
- Many may consider alternative routes or public transport to cut costs.
For Transport & Logistics Companies
- Increased freight charges due to higher toll rates for trucks and commercial vehicles.
- Businesses may pass the added cost to consumers, potentially leading to price hikes on goods and services.
Public Reactions
The toll hike has sparked mixed reactions among the public. While some commuters understand the need for infrastructure funding, others criticize the frequent hikes, arguing that road conditions do not always justify the increasing costs.
Many travelers demand better highway maintenance, improved safety measures, and faster road development in return for the rising toll charges.
Conclusion
With the new toll rates coming into effect from April 1, 2025, commuters and businesses should plan their travel budgets accordingly. While the hike may seem like an added burden, it is part of the government’s efforts to upgrade and expand the national highway network.
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