Good News for Motorists: Telangana Govt Proposes Toll-Free Travel During Sankranti
Hyderabad | December 31, 2025 | DeccanLive.com
In a major relief for travelers, the Telangana government is planning toll-free travel during the Sankranti festival. The move aims to reduce traffic congestion on the heavily crowded Hyderabad–Vijayawada National Highway, especially during the festive rush.
State Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has proposed suspending toll collection for three to four days during the peak travel period. He has written to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), requesting approval for the toll exemption.
According to the proposal:
- Vehicles traveling from Hyderabad to Vijayawada may get toll-free access from January 9 to January 14
- Vehicles returning from Vijayawada to Hyderabad may be exempted from tolls between January 16 and January 18
Every year during Sankranti, thousands of vehicles line up for kilometers at toll plazas such as Pantangi, Korlapahad, and Chillakallu. Despite FASTag systems, the sheer volume of traffic leads to long waiting hours.
The situation could worsen this year as flyover construction, underpass works, and highway expansion projects are currently underway on this route. Stopping vehicles at toll gates during this time may cause complete traffic jams, officials fear.
To avoid such chaos and ensure smooth travel for festival-goers, the state government has decided to push for temporary toll-free travel.
However, it remains to be seen how the central government and NHAI will respond to Telangana’s request. A final decision is expected soon.
