Are These 7 Toll Booths Really Free for 45 Days? NHAI Clarifies Viral Claims

NHAI dismissed the viral claims suggesting a 45-day toll tax exemption at 7 toll plazas in Uttar Pradesh for vehicles traveling to Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh 2025. NHAI clarified on its official X handle that no such proposal is under consideration.

No Proposal for Toll-Free Travel

Responding to widespread media reports, NHAI said the claims of toll tax exemptions on highways leading to Prayagraj are baseless. "We want to clarify that no such proposal is being considered regarding toll tax exemptions for vehicles during Maha Kumbh," NHAI wrote, putting the viral rumors to rest.

The Viral Reports

Many media outlets had earlier reported that the Yogi Adityanath government was to exempt toll tax at 7 key toll plazas for 45 days during the Maha Kumbh. The toll booths, reportedly set up on major highways, included:

Some sections of the media have reported that 'Kumbh Mela' bound vehicles will be provided toll-free passage on National Highways at Prayagraj. It is clarified that no such proposal is under consideration.@InfoDeptUP #MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/RY6VrMjBN8

— NHAI (@NHAI_Official) December 16, 2024

Handia Toll Plaza (Varanasi Road)
Andhiari Toll Plaza (Lucknow Highway)
Umapur Toll Plaza (Chitrakoot Road)
Ganne Toll Plaza (Rewa Highway)
Mungeri Toll Plaza (Mirzapur Road)
Mau Aima Toll Plaza (Ayodhya Highway)
Kokhraj Toll Plaza (Kanpur Road)

These reports, in addition, claimed that the exemption would only benefit private vehicles and that NHAI has already started making preparations.

Clarification by NHAI

NHAI refutes all such claims and mentions that no such directive or decision has been made. The authority urged the public not to believe unverified reports as circulated in the media.