The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) implements an increase in toll rates starting at midnight on March 31, 2025. The new rates, which will take effect on April 1, will impact both commuters and commercial transport operators on major routes, such as the Lucknow highways, Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9, and the Delhi-Jaipur highway. This marks the second toll increase within a year, following the previous hike in June 2024.
The NHAI has issued notifications detailing the new toll rates for various toll plazas. On highways passing through Lucknow, such as Lucknow-Kanpur, Ayodhya, Raebareli, and Barabanki, light vehicles like cars will see an increase of ₹ 5 to ₹10 per trip, while heavy vehicles face a steeper hike of ₹20 to ₹25.
The Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and NH-9 are experiencing changes in toll rates. For example, the one-way toll for cars and jeeps traveling from Sarai Kale Khan to Meerut will increase from ₹165 to ₹170. Light commercial vehicles and buses will now incur a fee of ₹275, while trucks will be charged ₹580 per trip.
At the Chhijarsi toll plaza on NH-9, the toll for cars will rise from ₹170 to ₹175, light commercial vehicles will be charged ₹280, and buses and trucks will see their tolls increase to ₹590. Vehicles transporting goods with more than seven axles will face the highest increase, with tolls rising by ₹590. Furthermore, the toll from Ghaziabad to Meerut will go up from ₹70 to ₹75. These rates will remain unchanged until March 31, with the new tariffs taking effect the following day.
Changes are also set to occur at the Kherki Daula toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. The toll rates for cars and jeeps will remain the same; however, larger vehicles will face an additional charge of ₹5 per trip. The cost of a monthly pass at this plaza will increase to ₹950 from ₹930, reflecting a rise of ₹20. Commercial cars and jeeps will be charged ₹85 for a one-way trip, with their monthly pass fee increasing from ₹1225 to ₹1255. Additionally, the toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) and mini buses will rise from ₹120 to ₹125 for a single journey.
The NHAI has confirmed that the extra revenue generated will aid in the maintenance and expansion of highways. Currently, tolls will continue to be charged at the current rates until midnight on March 31, 2025, after which the new rates will apply nationwide.
