The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has terminated the user fee collection contract at Bara Fee Plaza in Uttar Pradesh following an incident involving the alleged assault of a national highway user by toll staff.
According to an official statement issued on 16 January 2026, the contract held by M/s Skylark Infra Engineering Pvt. Ltd. was cancelled after the incident occurred on 14 January at the Bara Fee Plaza on the Lucknow-Sultanpur stretch of National Highway 731.
Taking serious note of the misconduct, NHAI has also issued a show cause notice to the agency, proposing its debarment from participating in any NHAI bids or contracts for a period of one year. In addition, the authority has initiated the forfeiture and encashment of the agency’s bank guarantee and performance security amounting to Rs 5.3 crore.
NHAI stated that the incident constitutes a clear violation of contractual terms, which require toll plaza personnel to maintain discipline, decency, and proper conduct with highway users. The authority termed the episode a gross failure of supervision and adherence to contractual obligations by the agency.
Reiterating its stance, NHAI said it follows a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misbehaviour at toll plazas and remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure commuting experience for all national highway users across the country.
