Expressway traffic in Uttar Pradesh may rise 2.5 times after Diwali
Authorities will increase vigil at toll plazas this weekend as motorists return to workplaces following the Diwali festival.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh will maintain extra vigil at toll plazas on expressways this Saturday and Sunday due to an expected surge in post-Diwali return traffic, according to The Times of India.
Officials estimate vehicle volumes on the Lucknow–Agra Expressway could rise by nearly 2.5 times, reaching approximately 65,000 vehicles a day from the usual 25,000.
The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is making additional arrangements to prevent congestion similar to what occurred on November 5, 6 and 7. During that period, commuters reported waits of 30 to 45 minutes at toll points on routes connecting Lucknow to the National Capital Region.
UPEIDA chief security officer Rajesh Kumar Pandey stated that the annual pass provided by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will not work on state-operated expressways. This includes the Yamuna Expressway, Lucknow–Agra Expressway and Ganga Expressway network.
To manage delays, motorists will not face additional penalties if FASTag accounts have insufficient balances. Users may pay the regular toll amount through cash or Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
While point-of-sale card machines have been deployed at main toll plazas, officials cautioned that poor internet bandwidth in some intermediate towns along the Lucknow–Agra corridor may affect their consistency.