If you’ve ever worried about aggressive behavior at highway toll booths, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) just sent a message loud and clear: bullying won’t be tolerated. In a massive crackdown following a violent altercation in Uttar Pradesh, the NHAI has terminated the contract of the agency managing the Bara Fee (Gatauna) Toll Plaza in Barabanki. This decisive move comes right after a disturbing video of toll staff assaulting an advocate went viral, proving that user safety is non-negotiable.
The Spark: Fastag Dispute Turns Ugly on NH-731
The incident that triggered this massive fallout took place on January 14, 2026, on the Lucknow-Sultanpur section of NH-731. According to reports, Advocate Ratnesh Kumar Shukla, who practices at the Allahabad High Court, was traveling to Lucknow with three colleagues when they were stopped at the Bara Fee Toll Plaza.
What started as a routine dispute over a Fastag balance quickly escalated into chaos. Witnesses and police reports suggest that toll staff, including hired bouncers, allegedly assaulted the lawyer and his companions. The situation turned grave with allegations that the staff not only beat the passengers but also snatched a gold ring during the scuffle. The footage of the brawl spread like wildfire on social media, sparking outrage among the legal community. Lawyers responded by protesting at the site, breaking boom barriers, and temporarily forcing the plaza to operate toll-free.
NHAI Cracks the Whip: Contract Cancelled and Funds Seized
Taking a serious view of the “gross violation” of contractual terms, the NHAI didn’t wait around. The authority has immediately terminated the agreement with M/s Skylark Infra Engineering Pvt Ltd, the agency responsible for user fee collection at the plaza. The repercussions for the agency are severe financially and operationally.
Here is the breakdown of the penalties imposed:
- Immediate Termination: The agency has been removed from the site with immediate effect.
- Financial Hit: The NHAI has initiated the process to forfeit the company’s Performance Security/Bank Guarantee worth a staggering ₹5.3 crore.
- Blacklisted: The agency has been debarred from participating in any future NHAI tenders for a period of one year.
- Show-Cause Notice: A formal notice has been issued demanding an explanation for the misconduct.
Police Action and the ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy
While the NHAI handled the administrative side, local law enforcement has been equally active. following the intervention of District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, the police registered cases against several toll employees, including the manager, Jagbhan Singh. Reports indicate that at least five individuals have been arrested, and teams are actively pursuing others involved in the assault.
In their official statement, the NHAI reiterated a “Zero Tolerance” policy towards misconduct. The authority emphasized that the contract explicitly requires staff to behave in a “courteous and disciplined manner” with commuters. By taking such swift and harsh action, the NHAI aims to set a precedent that violence and rudeness against national highway users will result in the harshest possible punishment.
For commuters on NH-731, this serves as a reassurance that their dignity and safety are being prioritized over revenue collection.
Last Updated: 17 January 2026
