Toll Tax: Ahead of the Sankranti festival, political leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have urged the central government to waive toll fees on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada National Highway to ease travel for lakhs of festival-bound passengers. Andhra Pradesh MP and TDP leader Sana Satish has formally requested Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to declare the highway toll-free from January 9 to January 14.
With Sankranti approaching, large numbers of people travel from Hyderabad to their native places in Andhra Pradesh, especially towards Vijayawada and the coastal districts. This seasonal migration leads to massive traffic congestion, particularly at toll plazas along the Hyderabad–Vijayawada stretch. Long vehicle queues stretching for several kilometres are a common sight during this period, causing delays and frustration for travellers eager to reach home for the festival.
Toll Tax: In this context, Sana Satish took to social media to appeal to the Union Minister, stating that a temporary toll waiver during the festival week would bring major relief to the public. He pointed out that toll plazas at Patangi, Korlapahad, Chillakallu, and Keeravani frequently witness heavy congestion due to festival traffic. According to him, suspending toll collection for a few days would help vehicles move smoothly and make travel more comfortable.
Earlier, Telangana Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy had also written a letter to Nitin Gadkari with a similar request. He urged the Centre to allow toll-free travel on this highway from January 9 to 14, highlighting the difficulties faced by commuters during Sankranti every year. The minister noted that toll collection during peak festival days worsens traffic jams and increases travel time significantly.
Toll Tax: Every Sankranti season, trains and buses from Hyderabad to Andhra Pradesh run full, forcing many people to rely on private vehicles. As a result, the national highway becomes overcrowded, especially near toll gates where vehicles must slow down or stop for payments. Even with electronic toll collection systems, the sheer volume of traffic often leads to bottlenecks.
Public opinion has largely supported the demand for a temporary toll waiver. Many travelers feel that a short-term exemption during major festivals would be a people-friendly decision and reflect sensitivity towards public convenience. Similar toll relaxations have been granted in some regions during extraordinary situations, adding weight to the current demand.
With requests now coming from leaders of both Telugu states, attention has turned to the Centre’s response. A positive decision from the Union Road Transport Ministry would offer significant relief to festival travellers and help ensure smoother movement on one of the busiest highways in the region.
