Toll Rate Hike to Rs 580: these highways will become expensive from today April 1

Toll Rate Hike: Traveling on India’s highways and expressways is set to become more expensive as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented a toll tax hike effective from midnight of March 31, 2025. These highways will become expensive from April.

The revised rates, applicable from April 1, will affect passengers and commercial operators on major routes including Lucknow highways, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9 and Delhi-Jaipur Highway. This marks the second toll increase within a year, the previous one occurring in June 2024.

NHAI has issued notifications detailing the new toll rates for various toll plazas. On the highways passing through Lucknow, such as Lucknow-Kanpur, Ayodhya, Rae Bareli and Barabanki, light vehicles like cars will see a hike of Rs 5 to Rs 10 per trip, while heavy vehicles will face a steep hike of Rs 20 to Rs 25.

The Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway and NH-9 were also affected. For example, the one-way toll for cars and jeeps travelling from Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut will increase from Rs 165 to Rs 170. Light commercial vehicles and buses will now be charged Rs 275 per trip and trucks Rs 580.

At the Chijarsi toll plaza on National Highway-9, the toll for cars will increase from 170 to 175, for light commercial vehicles to 280, and for buses and trucks to 590. Vehicles carrying goods with more than seven axles will face the highest hike, with toll charges increasing by Rs 590. Additionally, the toll from Ghaziabad to Meerut will increase from Rs 70 to Rs 75.

These rates will remain at current levels until March 31, with the new tariffs coming into effect the following day. On the Delhi-Jaipur highway, the Kherki Daula toll plaza will also see changes. While the tolls for cars and jeeps remain unchanged, larger vehicles will have to pay an additional Rs 5 per journey.

The monthly pass price at this plaza has now increased from Rs 930 to Rs 950, an increase of Rs 20. Commercial cars and jeeps will have to pay Rs 85 per side, their monthly pass will increase from Rs 1225 to Rs 1255. The single journey tolls for light motor vehicles (LMV) and minibuses will increase from Rs 120 to Rs 125.

The toll hike has sparked mixed reactions. While some commuters acknowledge the need for infrastructure funding, others lament the frequent hikes. NHAI has assured that the additional revenue will support ongoing highway maintenance and expansion projects.

Currently, tolls are collected at existing rates until midnight on March 31, 2025, after which the new rates will apply nationwide. As these changes come into effect, travelers are advised to plan their travel accordingly.

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