The National Highway Authority has increased toll rates by up to 10 percent for commuters using national highways and motorways, besides an additional surcharge of up to Rs 50 for paying through cash, saying that the NHA needs additional revenue for maintenance of road networks due to inflation, it is learnt.
Toll rates rationalization for national highways and motorways for a period of three years is likely to generate around Rs 5 billion additional revenue. During the year 2017-18, the NHA generated around Rs 25 billion from toll collection. The increase in toll rates was approved at the NHA Executive Board meeting chaired by Chairman Jawad Rafique Malik Thursday.
The toll rate for car on Islamabad-Peshawar motorway has been increased from Rs 210 to Rs 240, for Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Gojra increased from Rs 180 to Rs 200, and for Khanewal-Multan it has been increased from Rs 80 to Rs 90.
For articulated trucks, rate on Islamabad-Peshawar was Rs 1,120 and it was increased to Rs 1,270, on Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Gojra it was Rs 860 and increased to Rs 970, and for Khanewal-Multan it has been increased from Rs 410 to Rs 460.
For wagon up to 12 seaters, rate on Islamabad-Peshawar was Rs 350 and increased to Rs 400, on Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Gojra it was Rs 260 and increased to Rs 290 and for Khanewal-Multan is has been increased from Rs 130 to Rs 150.
For wagon 13-24 seats coaster/minibus, rate on Islamabad-Peshawar was Rs 490 and increased to Rs 550, on Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Gojra it was Rs 380 and increased to Rs 430 and increased from Rs 180 to Rs 200 for Khanewal-Multan.
Sources said that an additional surcharge of Rs 20 will be charged for car, wagon, coaster and minibus for paying through cash and Rs 50 will be charged to buses and trucks for cash transactions with effect from the date of commencement of electronic toll collection on national highways and motorways. Revenue generated from this surcharge will be used for payment of insurance premium for e-tag commuters.
Fixed toll regime may be introduced for cars having e-toll tag, wef, the date of commencement of electronic operations.
A discount in toll rates (5% for corporate and 10% for non-corporate, rounding off to the nearest ten on higher side) may be given to corporate clients for registration and operations under electronic tolling, wef, the date of commencement of electronic operations on NHWs.
According to documents available with Business Recorder, the NHA roads are 4.6% of Pakistan's entire road network, but carry more than 80% of the country's traffic. The rate of inflation is an important macroeconomic indicator used to determine the toll rates.
Since toll rates do not match ever-increasing repair and maintenance cost and also almost 40% of NHA network is not tolled but still the roads are appropriately maintained. The NHA is unable to meet the growing needs and this is widening the maintenance backlog.
The NHA has tried to justify the proposed increase while saying that inflation rate in Pakistan has increased in 2017 as compared to previous year 2016. Therefore, to cope with the increased maintenance cost, the toll rates on national highways and motorways are required to be rationalized.
The NHA further said that rationalization of toll rates is required for upkeep, periodic/routine/emergency maintenance, geometric & highway safety improvements, corridor management of NHA network throughout a year.
It further said that rationalization of rates was due on 1st July, 2017 but was withheld due to: pursuant to toll rates rationalization in 2014; and resistance from the Senate, commuters, transporters and general public; increase in toll revenue due to present management's actions.
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