NHAI debars Bijwasan toll agency, slaps ₹15 lakh penalty for misconduct
Synopsis
NHAI has cracked down on a toll collection agency at the Bijwasan Fee Plaza, imposing a ₹15 lakh penalty and a one-month debarment — with a one-year ban on the table — after its staff allegedly misbehaved with a commuter on NH-248BB. The agency must hand over operations by 14 November 2026, in what the ministry called a 'gross failure' of discipline.
Key Takeaways
NHAI debarred M/s Riddhi Siddhi Associates for one month from all ongoing and future NHAI tenders.
A penalty of ₹15 lakh was imposed following alleged misconduct at the Bijwasan Fee Plaza on NH-248BB on 5 November 2026 .
A Show Cause Notice has been issued proposing a one-year debarment for the agency and its owners/directors.
The agency must hand over the fee plaza to a new operator by 14 November 2026 .
NHAI's Rajmargyatra app allows commuters to rate and report toll plaza experiences in real time.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has debarred toll collection firm M/s Riddhi Siddhi Associates from participating in any ongoing or future NHAI tenders for one month and imposed a penalty of ₹15 lakh after its personnel allegedly misbehaved with a road user at the Bijwasan Fee Plaza on NH-248BB on 5 November 2026. The action, confirmed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on 11 November 2026, signals a sharp escalation in NHAI's enforcement posture at toll plazas.
What Triggered the Action
The incident at the Bijwasan Fee Plaza on NH-248BB on 5 November 2026 involved alleged misconduct by personnel of M/s Riddhi Siddhi Associates towards a road user. The ministry's official statement characterised it as a 'gross failure' by the agency to maintain discipline, supervision, and adherence to contractual obligations. Under the contract agreement, the user fee collection agency is fully responsible for the conduct of its deployed staff.
Penalties and Handover Deadline
Beyond the immediate one-month debarment and ₹15 lakh penalty, NHAI has issued a Show Cause Notice proposing an extended debarment of one year for the agency as well as its owners and directors from future tenders — a measure that could effectively end the firm's business relationship with the highway authority. The agency has been directed to hand over the fee plaza operations to a new agency by 14 November 2026.
NHAI's Zero-Tolerance Stance
NHAI reiterated its commitment to providing a safe and secure commuting experience on national highways, emphasising a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of misconduct or indiscipline at toll plazas. This action is part of a broader accountability framework the authority has been tightening in recent years as toll-plaza conduct complaints have grown alongside rising traffic volumes.
Rajmargyatra App and User Feedback
NHAI also highlighted its toll feedback mechanism on the Rajmargyatra mobile app, through which highway users can rate their toll plaza experience and flag issues. Annual pass holders receive a notification after crossing a toll plaza prompting them to share feedback, while all users can access the 'Toll Plaza Feedback' feature from the app's menu, rate their experience on a scale, select relevant options, and add remarks. The move is intended to create a real-time accountability loop between commuters and toll operators.
Point of View
However, is consistency: toll-plaza misconduct complaints are not rare, and punitive action has historically been uneven. Whether this case becomes a precedent or a one-off depends on whether NHAI's grievance pipeline — including the Rajmargyatra app — translates into systematic enforcement rather than reactive headline management.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did NHAI debar M/s Riddhi Siddhi Associates?
NHAI debarred M/s Riddhi Siddhi Associates for one month and imposed a ₹15 lakh penalty after its personnel allegedly misbehaved with a road user at the Bijwasan Fee Plaza on NH-248BB on 5 November 2026. The ministry described the incident as a 'gross failure' in discipline and supervision by the agency.
What is the Show Cause Notice issued to the agency about?
NHAI has issued a Show Cause Notice proposing an extended debarment of one year for M/s Riddhi Siddhi Associates and its owners or directors from participation in future tenders. This goes beyond the initial one-month ban and could significantly curtail the firm's future business with NHAI.
When must the agency hand over the Bijwasan Fee Plaza?
M/s Riddhi Siddhi Associates has been directed to hand over the Bijwasan Fee Plaza operations to a new agency by 14 November 2026, just nine days after the alleged misconduct incident on 5 November.
How can commuters report misconduct at NHAI toll plazas?
Commuters can use the 'Toll Plaza Feedback' feature on the Rajmargyatra mobile app to rate their experience, select relevant complaint categories, and add remarks. Annual pass holders receive an automatic notification after crossing a toll plaza prompting them to submit feedback.
What is NHAI's stated policy on toll plaza misconduct?
NHAI maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of misconduct or indiscipline at toll plazas. Under contract terms, the user fee collection agency bears full responsibility for the conduct, discipline, and behaviour of its personnel deployed at the plaza.
