Toll-Free : In a welcome move for commuters and transporters, the Government of India has announced toll-free access on several key national and state highways. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to ease traffic bottlenecks, reduce travel costs for essential services, and promote smoother transportation on critical routes. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has released a detailed exemption list highlighting roads where toll fees will no longer be charged under specific conditions.
Let’s take a closer look at which roads are now toll-free, who qualifies for exemptions, and what this means for everyday travelers.
Why the Govt Has Made These Roads Toll-Free
The decision to make certain roads toll-free is based on multiple considerations, such as:
- Encouraging free and faster movement of emergency and essential services
- Reducing congestion near urban areas
- Addressing long-pending public demands and legal directives
- Promoting regional development and economic access
- Enhancing the ease of doing business and interstate transport
The move is expected to benefit millions of daily travelers, especially those who rely on highways for commuting, logistics, or trade.
Who Is Eligible for Toll Exemption?
According to the official notification, the following categories of vehicles and road users are eligible for toll fee exemptions:
- Emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire brigades, police)
- Government vehicles on official duty
- Military and paramilitary vehicles
- Public transport vehicles in select regions
- Two-wheelers on select stretches
- Electric vehicles on specified green corridors
- Local residents living within a 20-km radius (with valid passes)
Each of these exemptions is subject to verification and specific rules depending on the road stretch and region.
Key Roads and Highways Now Toll-Free
Here is a table showing major toll-free roads recently declared by the government:
| Highway Name | Stretch Covered | State/Region | Type of Road | Toll Status | Valid From | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NH-44 | Jammu to Srinagar | Jammu & Kashmir | National Highway | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | Military, Emergency, Residents |
| NH-19 | Delhi to Kanpur | Delhi, UP | National Highway | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | Government, Emergency, Public Transport |
| Eastern Peripheral Exp. | Kundli to Palwal | Haryana, UP | Expressway | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | Electric Vehicles |
| NH-16 | Visakhapatnam to Bhubaneswar | Andhra, Odisha | National Highway | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | Public Buses, Emergency |
| State Road S-81 | Pune to Ahmednagar | Maharashtra | State Highway | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | Two-Wheelers, Local Residents |
| NH-7 | Varanasi to Bhopal | UP, MP | National Highway | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | Ambulances, Police |
| NH-48 | Mumbai to Ahmedabad | Maharashtra, Gujarat | National Highway | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | All Government Vehicles |
| Ring Road Corridor | Bengaluru Outer Ring Road | Karnataka | Urban Toll Road | Toll-Free | May 1, 2025 | Local Commuters (with ID) |
State-Specific Toll Exemption Highlights
The exemptions are not uniform nationwide. Many states have special arrangements depending on local needs. Here’s a summary of regional highlights:
| State | Key Roads Exempted | Major Beneficiaries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Pune-Ahmednagar, Mumbai ring roads | Two-wheelers, local buses | Focus on urban decongestion |
| Uttar Pradesh | Kanpur-Lucknow, Varanasi corridors | School buses, ambulances | Specific toll booths only |
| Delhi NCR | Eastern & Western Peripheral Expressways | Electric vehicles, govt transport | Green corridor promotion |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai bypass, Coimbatore stretch | Government vehicles, buses | Applies only during peak hours |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad outer ring, Surat roads | Local citizens, civic vehicles | Requires proof of residence |
| Punjab | Amritsar bypass and state roads | Defense and police vehicles | In line with national defense priorities |
| Kerala | Kochi metro-linked roads | Emergency services | To assist during medical and disaster emergencies |
Benefits for Daily Commuters and Businesses
The toll exemption brings a host of benefits for common citizens and industries alike:
- Reduced fuel and toll costs for daily commuters
- Faster transit for logistics and cargo vehicles
- Encouragement for EV adoption on green corridors
- Increased efficiency in public transportation
- Better access to emergency healthcare and public services
- More savings for rural residents commuting for work
Moreover, this move is also likely to increase compliance with FASTag usage as digital monitoring systems get integrated into these toll-free zones for automatic checks.
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What You Need to Travel Toll-Free
To benefit from the toll-free travel, eligible commuters must:
- Carry valid ID proof (government or local residence certificate)
- Use FASTag-enabled vehicles (for barrier-free entry where scanners are present)
- Register electric vehicles with state transport portals (for exemption eligibility)
- Apply for exemption passes in applicable states (for residents within 20 km)
In many places, toll booths are being upgraded to recognize exempt categories automatically through vehicle number plate scanning.
The government’s decision to approve toll-free travel on specific roads marks a significant step toward reducing commuter burden and streamlining transport systems across the country. It not only eases traffic and lowers transport costs but also paves the way for better infrastructure access, especially for essential services. As more states join the initiative, the scope of toll-free travel is expected to expand in the coming months.
All toll exemptions are based on official government notifications as of April 2025. Rules may vary by region and may be updated periodically. Travelers are advised to verify local toll booth regulations before planning toll-free travel.
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