It can help farmers access specific subsidies or welfare programs.

We reached out to the Project Director of NHAI (Punjab) for a statement. The official (on condition of anonymity) confirmed:

– The influence of farm unions remains vast. In January 2026, the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, supported by farm groups, announced that 49 toll plazas across Punjab would remain free for three hours, costing the exchequer crores of rupees in just that short window. Activists physically prevented staff from collecting tolls.

The Toll Plaza Bhartiya Kisan Union Id Card Punjab has been widely welcomed by farmers in the state, who see it as a major victory for their community. The ID card has not only saved farmers money but has also reduced the harassment and inconvenience they faced at toll plazas. According to BKU leaders, the ID card has helped to:

The BKU ID Card Phenomenon at Punjab Toll Plazas: Rights, Confrontations, and Legal Realities

Furthermore, in a landmark move effective , the central government implemented new rules ending ID-based exemptions altogether. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mandated that all toll payments must be made digitally via FASTag or UPI. The informal practice of officials and groups using ID cards to claim toll waivers has been officially scrapped. Exemptions will only be valid through "Exempted FASTags" issued to eligible departments or through annual FASTag passes priced at ₹3,075.

NHAI does provide discounted or free monthly passes for individuals residing within a of a toll plaza. This requires valid proof of residence (like an Aadhaar Card or Voter ID) and a functional FASTag, rather than a union card. Challenges and Recent Controversies

It is important to note that possession of a BKU ID card is not an automatic "VIP pass" for unlimited travel; it is tied to the NHAI rules. The exemption is valid under the following conditions:

: Pay a nominal fee (often ranging from ₹10 to higher amounts) to activate benefits.

Toll plaza employees frequently struggle to verify the authenticity of BKU cards, as multiple factions issue their own designs without a centralized digital database.

Many farmers have been for arguing at toll plazas outside Punjab or on NHs. The plaza staff can legally demand the full toll or call the police for obstructing the lane.

The ID card was originally conceived as a membership tool—a way to identify genuine farmers during protests, meetings, and compensation disbursements. However, over time, rural lore transformed this simple card into something more: a perceived "pass" for toll plaza exemption.

Cards are regularly updated with new counter-signatures to ensure memberships remain active.

When a driver presents a BKU card at a toll booth, the toll collector faces a dilemma. Denying free passage can lead to immediate arguments. Because farmers in Punjab are highly organized, an altercation with a single union member can result in dozens of farmers arriving at the plaza within an hour to stage a sit-in ( dharna ). The "Free-for-All" Escalation