Lucknow: UP Toll increased 5% on four major manned motorways. The Uttar Pradesh Motorways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has initiated the process of selecting advisors to raise the new toll rates, which are expected to begin in FY 2025-26.
Updates on which motorways are affected?
The four motorways that will have an upward revision in toll rates are:
Agra-Lucknow Motorway
Purvanchal Motorway
Bundelkhand Motorway
Gorakhpur Link Motorway
These motorways are essential links to the neighbouring states of Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh and to travelling within the state.
How Are Toll Rates Determined?
The toll rates on these motorways are revised annually every April 1 after being adjusted to reflect the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) changes. The new fares will apply to single, return, and monthly tickets. In the meantime, once again, a marginal margin raised toll taxes; heavy vehicles must shoulder the most, followed by light vehicles. The hike, however, did not apply to cars, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers.
Current Cost of Tolls and Anticipated Increase
Currently, the highest average toll rate per kilometre for a one-way trip is from the Bundelkhand Motorway at ₹9.24, followed by the Gorakhpur Link Motorway at ₹8.63 per kilometre. At previous Agra-Lucknow & Purvanchal Motorways, the rates were relatively lower. This has already resulted in additional commuter costs, and the 5% increase being suggested now will only add to this burden.
After the increase, a ride one way on the Bundelkhand Motorway could cost an estimated ₹9.70 a kilometre, and it may go up to about ₹9.06 a kilometre for the Gorakhpur Link Motorway.
Impact on Commuters
The toll increase will impact not just the people of Uttar Pradesh but also travellers from other states who regularly visit the motorways. The Agra-Lucknow and Purvanchal Motorways are favourite paths for commuters travelling to and from Bihar, West Bengal, and Delhi.
The new rates will likely become effective in April when the annual renewal is implemented, although a date has yet to be confirmed. This means that commuters might have to prepare for an increase in the cost of travel in the next financial year.
A Necessary Evil?
This toll tax hike is just one of the many approaches taken to keep the motorway network system in the state and to proceed with its gradual development. Commuters, however, have reacted to it with mixed feelings. While some acknowledge the need for improved infrastructure, many contend that frequent hikes burden the average commuter.
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