Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken a historic and revolutionary step which has directly brought huge relief to the common people. Since March 2022, the state government has successfully closed a total of 19 toll plazas, putting an end to the “open looting” prevalent on the roads of Punjab. This decision is not just an administrative action, but a major milestone in eliminating unnecessary burden on the pockets of the common people. The closure of these 19 toll plazas is directly saving lakhs of passengers of Punjab about Rs 6.5 million per day, leading to a huge revenue of Rs 225 crore annually. This reflects Chief Minister Mann’s commitment to provide corruption-free and people-oriented governance to the people of Punjab.
19 toll plazas closed in Punjab
This move by the Punjab government is in stark contrast to the policies of previous governments, where toll companies were often allegedly protected. The Mann government has made it clear that companies that violate the terms of the contract, fail to maintain the roads properly, or fail to pay the royalties due to the government will not be spared at any cost. Many of these 19 toll plazas were either closed because their contracts had expired and the government flatly refused to extend them, or because they were closed as a punitive measure for breach of contract. This decision is a testament to the current Punjab government’s unwavering commitment to accountability and prioritizing public interest over corporate profits.
The era of plunder is now over.
This major change began in 2022 itself, when the government gave clear signals that the “era of loot” was over. On September 4, 2022, the Ladda and Ahmedgarh toll plazas on the Sangrur-Ludhiana road were closed. Citing Covid and farmers’ protests, the operator sought a compensation or an increase of ₹50 crore, which the Chief Minister rejected, saying it was a global disaster and its burden could not be put on the public. Following this, the closure of the Lachhowal toll plaza on the Hoshiarpur-Tanda road on December 15, 2022 was a major step. Here, the government not only refused to give the increase, but also registered an FIR against the company for breach of contract and fund diversion, which proves that the government believes in taking strong action, not just words.
Accountability of those who rob the public
This mission gained further momentum in 2023. On April 1, 2023, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann closed the Nakkian toll plaza on the Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal-Una road, declaring that “the era of ‘road fare’ is over in the state”. He revealed that the operator had delayed by 1,093 days in laying the second layer of bitumen on the road and the company was owed ₹67 crore in fines, which previous governments had failed to collect. The closure of this one toll saved the public ₹10.12 lakh daily. Following this, tolls were closed on the Samana-Pataran road in Patiala and elsewhere, making it clear that the government is holding accountable every company that loots the public.
Toll plazas were also closed at these locations.
This action of the Punjab government also raises serious questions on the functioning of the previous governments. Chief Minister Mann had made a major revelation while closing the Singhawala toll plaza on the Moga-Kotkupura road on July 5, 2023. He said that the company has collected a fine of Rs 3.89 crore, which is more than the limit of Rs 3.11 crore for contract termination. This means that the toll plaza could have been closed in 2019, but the previous Congress government allegedly “saved” the operator and allowed the exploitation of the public to continue. On coming to power, the Mann government broke this “compromise” and took a decision in favor of the public.
The campaign continued in full force in 2024 and 2025.
In April 2024, the Rakba and Mahal Kalan toll plazas on the Ludhiana-Barnala highway were closed, adding to the list of toll-free roads. The most recent and 19th example of this policy was the closure of the Jagraon-Nakodar toll plaza in October 2025. It was closed about 18 months before the expiry of the toll contract. The reason was clear: the operator had failed to carry out the necessary road repairs and deposit royalties to the government. This shows that the government is not only taking strict action on the expiry of the contract, but also by proactively monitoring and taking action in advance if there is a violation of public interest.
The biggest benefit of the closure of these 19 toll plazas
It is happening directly to the common people of Punjab. These figures are not just political rhetoric; they are positively impacting the pocket of every citizen using these roads. Till April 2023, when eight toll plazas were closed, the daily savings were ₹10.12 lakh. By July 2023, with the closure of 10 toll plazas, this savings increased to ₹44.43 lakh per day. And now, with the closure of 19 toll plazas in October 2025, this figure has reached about ₹65 lakh per day (i.e. ₹225 crore annually). The government has made about 590 km of state highways toll-free in the state, providing significant financial relief to lakhs of farmers, traders, students and daily commuters.
There will be an annual saving of Rs 225 crore.
The Punjab government’s decision to close 19 toll plazas is a symbol of a new, transparent and people-oriented governance in the state. It shows that if the government has the political will, the “toll mafia” and the corrupt system that exploits the common man can be eliminated. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the government has demonstrated its commitment to fulfilling its promises and safeguarding the money of the people of Punjab. This annual saving of Rs 225 crore will be spent on the development of the people of Punjab, and will not go to the coffers of private companies. This step will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the biggest victories for the common man in the history of Punjab.
