NHAI hikes toll charges on highways and expressways across country

IANS April 2, 2025 186 views

The National Highways Authority of India has increased toll charges by 4-5% on highways and expressways nationwide. Key routes like Delhi-Meerut and Lucknow-Kanpur will see higher fees for both light and heavy vehicles. The hike is part of an annual inflation-linked adjustment to fund maintenance and expansion. Monthly passes for private and commercial vehicles have also become costlier.

"The adjustment aligns toll rates with inflation and supports highway upkeep and expansion projects." – NHAI Official
New Delhi, April 2: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has raised toll charges for motorists driving through highways and expressways across the country by an average of 4 to 5 per cent as part of the annual exercise of factoring in inflation costs.

Key Points

1

Toll rates rise 4-5% on major highways

2

Delhi-Meerut Expressway charges increase by Rs 5-10

3

Monthly passes for cars go up by Rs 20-30

4

Heavy vehicles face Rs 20-25 hike per trip

The adjustment is part of NHAI's annual review, which aligns toll rates with inflation based on the wholesale price index and the additional revenue will support highway upkeep and expansion projects, a senior official said.

According to the NHAI notification, the one-way toll on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway for cars and jeeps travelling from Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut will rise from Rs 165 to Rs 170, while the commute from Ghaziabad to Meerut will increase from Rs 70 to Rs 75.

Light commercial vehicles and buses on this route will have to shell out Rs 275 per trip while trucks will be charged Rs 580. At the Chhijarsi toll plaza on NH-9, tolls for cars will go up from Rs 170 to Rs 175, light commercial vehicles will pay Rs 280 while buses and trucks will have to cough up Rs 590.

Motorists travelling on highways running through Lucknow, including those linking the state capital to Kanpur, Ayodhya, Raebareli, and Barabanki, will have to pay an additional Rs 5 to 10 per trip for light vehicles, while heavy vehicles will have to shell out an extra Rs 20 to 25.

The monthly pass for cars will go up from Rs 930 to Rs 950, while for cabs the amount will increase from Rs 1225 to Rs 1255. Single-trip tolls for light motor vehicles and minibuses will increase from Rs 120 to Rs 125.

On the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, at the Kherki Daula toll plaza, tolls for private cars and jeeps will stay the same, but larger vehicles will see an increase of Rs 5 per trip. The monthly pass for cars will rise from Rs 930 to Rs 950, and for commercial cars and jeeps, it will go from Rs 1225 to Rs 1255. Single-trip tolls for light motor vehicles and minibuses will increase from Rs 120 to Rs 125.

There are around 855 plazas on the India's national highway network out of which 675 are government-funded, while another 180 or so are managed by private operators.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Another year, another toll hike 😩 I understand inflation but my salary hasn't increased by 5%! The Delhi-Meerut expressway is great but these frequent increases are making daily commutes expensive.
P
Priya M.
If the money is actually being used for road maintenance and expansion, I don't mind paying a little extra. The highways have improved so much in recent years! 🙌
A
Amit S.
The timing could be better with fuel prices already so high. Maybe NHAI could consider smaller, more frequent adjustments instead of these sudden jumps?
S
Sunita R.
As a truck driver, these increases really add up. Rs 580 per trip is already steep, and now even more? The roads better be in perfect condition for that price!
V
Vikram J.
I'd be more supportive if there was transparency about where this money goes. How much actually gets spent on maintenance vs administrative costs? Some accountability would go a long way.
N
Neha P.
The monthly pass increase isn't too bad - just Rs 20 more. Still cheaper than taking city roads with all the traffic and wear on my car. Highway driving saves me time and fuel ⏱️

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
NHAI toll hike highway charges Delhi-Meerut Expressway Lucknow highways inflation adjustment
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