GUJRAT: The National Highways Authority (NHA) began implementing increased toll tax rates on highways and motorways from Sunday. This marks the third and unprecedented hike within seven months.

The toll increase along the GT Road has drawn ire from the local business community across the Gujranwala and Gujrat regions, who have urged the government to reconsider the decision to provide relief to an already burdened populace.

According to an earlier announcement by the NHA, the revised rates took effect on January 5, 2025. The hike is aimed at helping the NHA achieve its revenue target of Rs102 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25, up from Rs64 billion collected during 2023-24.

On national highways, including the GT Road, car tolls have been raised from Rs50 to Rs60. Wagons now pay Rs100, and buses are charged Rs200, up from Rs170. Trucks face an increase to Rs250, while articulated trucks are charged Rs500 compared to the previous Rs460.

Rates to be revised every three months

Toll rates on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M1) for cars have gone up from Rs460 to Rs500. Wagons now pay Rs750, up from Rs720, and buses face a hike from Rs1,300 to Rs1,450. Truck tolls have increased to Rs2,300 from Rs1,950.

The toll for cars on the Lahore-Abdul Hakeem Motorway (M3) has increased from Rs650 to Rs700. On the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M4), tolls have gone up from Rs850 to Rs950. For the Multan-Sukkur Motorway (M5), the toll for cars is now Rs1,100, up from Rs1,050, while cars on the Dera Ismail Khan-Hakla Motorway (M14) will pay Rs600.

Toll rates at the Kohat Tunnel (N55), Islamabad-Murree-Kohala Highway (N75) and Mianwali Toll Plaza (N135) have also been revised upward.

This marks the first time in history that toll tax rates have been revised three times within seven months, almost doubling over this period. For example, cars on the GT Road were charged Rs30 seven months ago but now pay Rs60 as of Sunday.

Sources in the NHA say that toll tax rates will now be revised every three months under the federal government’s new policy to generate additional revenue from highway and motorway users.

Local business associations and civil society organizations have criticized the federal government’s revised toll tax policy, urging authorities to reconsider. Previously, toll tax revisions occurred after many years, making this frequent adjustment particularly contentious.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2025