The major motorways M-1, M-3, M-4, and M-5, also saw an increase in toll taxes.
National highways & motorways toll tax increased from Jan 5. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has announced the increase in tolls on national highways and motorways, which will be enforced from January 5, 2025.
It is part of the government’s policy for the revenue generation for maintenance and development of better infrastructure. According to the revised rates, a car will pay Rs 60, vans will pay Rs 100, and the toll for a bus is Rs 200 on national Highway.
Whereby, the toll tax of Rs 250 will be imposed on 2 and 3-axle trucks and Rs 500 on articulated trucks. With this increase, the NHA expects to generate additional revenue that would go into the maintenance of existing infrastructure and the funding of new projects.
Expected Increase in Toll Taxes
The major motorways M-1, M-3, M-4, and M-5, also saw an increase in toll taxes. For example, the toll tax of cars using Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway; was increased from Rs 460 to Rs 500. Similarly, the Lahore-Abdul Hakeem Motorway travelers will now pay Rs 700 against Rs 650.
The Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Multan Motorway toll for a car has increased from Rs 850 to Rs 950. The Multan-Sukkur Motorway for cars has jumped from Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,100. Such increases are significant and will affect the commuters who use the motorway very regularly.
The hike in toll tax will be significant for commercial vehicles, including buses and trucks. For example, M-1 will charge Rs 1,450 for buses, Rs 2,200 for M-3, Rs 2,900 for M-4, and Rs 3,350 for M-5.
Such increases are huge and are likely to affect the transportation industry, which, in turn, may pass on the extra costs incurred to consumers. The NHA justified the increase in toll taxes by stating that the extra revenue was essential to maintain the present infrastructure and to fund new projects.
An NHA official said, “The hike is in line with inflation and operational needs.” This implies that the NHA tries to keep pace with cost increases.
