With both the toll companies and the unions facing the menace of fakes, a new de facto system emerged. After meetings between toll plaza management and unions like the Dashmesh Kisan Mazdoor Union, a new compromise was reached.
The confusion stems largely from the widespread belief among farmer unions that those associated with agricultural work are entitled to exemptions under the "Kisan Andolan" (Farmers' Movement) framework. During the year-long protest at the Delhi borders, many toll plazas in Punjab and Haryana were effectively rendered toll-free for local commuters and farmers as a mark of solidarity.
This means that anyone selling or distributing a "BKU ID card" as a way to get free toll passage is almost certainly part of a scam. Using such a card is illegal and can lead to serious consequences. toll plaza bhartiya kisan union id card punjab free
The impact of this initiative on Punjab farmers has been significant. With free toll travel, farmers can now transport their produce to markets more efficiently and at a lower cost. This has helped to increase their profit margins and improve their overall well-being. Moreover, the BKU ID card has also helped to promote unity among farmers, who now feel that their organization is working actively towards their welfare.
The issue of toll plaza exemptions for farmers in Punjab has been a focal point of agrarian activism for years. Central to this movement is the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), one of India’s most influential farmers' organizations. Through persistent protests, negotiations, and grassroots organizing, BKU factions in Punjab have successfully created mechanisms—most notably through specialized BKU union ID cards—that allow local farmers to pass through specific regional toll plazas without paying the standard fees. With both the toll companies and the unions
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) ID card is primarily an organizational membership card and does not grant official, legal exemption from toll taxes under National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rules.
Consequently, many farmers carrying ID cards issued by various Kisan Unions, including the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), BKU (Lakhowal), or BKU (Rajewal), have attempted to use these credentials to bypass toll charges, arguing that the cards signify their role as "Annadatas" (food providers) and active participants in the movement. During the year-long protest at the Delhi borders,
guidelines, user fee exemptions are governed strictly by the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008 Official Categories:
Historically, BKU and other farmer unions have demanded that farmers’ vehicles (especially those carrying agricultural produce) be exempted from paying toll taxes on national and state highways within Punjab.
