Punjab State Highway Toll Plazas Closed, Saving Rs 61.67 Lakh Daily

The Punjab government has announced the immediate closure of two additional toll plazas on the Patiala-Nabha-Malerkotla stretch of state highway. The decision, effective from August 5, was confirmed by the Punjab Public Works and Power Minister on Tuesday.

The two toll plazas, situated in Mohrana and Kalyan, were closed late Monday night. These plazas were generating a combined monthly revenue of Rs 87 lakh. Their closure now brings the total number of toll plazas shut across the state to 18. This action is projected to save commuters approximately Rs 61.67 lakh per day, reflecting a substantial reduction in travel costs. The minister described the toll closure as a pivotal measure for providing economic relief to the residents of Punjab, aimed at easing the financial strain on daily travellers and ensuring smoother traffic flow. He highlighted that since the current administration assumed office nearly two years ago, the government has eliminated toll collection on a total of 590 km of state highways.

The recent closures are part of a broader strategy by the Punjab government to enhance road accessibility and reduce travel expenses. The 18 closed toll plazas include locations on several key routes, such as Patiala-Samana Road, Ludhiana-Malerkotla-Sangrur Road, Balachaur-Garshankar-Hoshiarpur-Dasuha Road, and Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal-Una Road, among others. This move aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to optimise road infrastructure and provide financial relief to the public. By removing tolls on these busy highways, the state aims to improve both the economic and logistical aspects of road travel for its residents.