Tax collection on all toll plazas of Motorway will be computerised to ensure transparency and increasing revenue generation to achieve the target of Rs 6 billion within the next five years. This was decided here on Tuesday at a meeting of the Communication Ministry, chaired by Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan.
Minister of State for Communications Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Parliamentary Secretary Communications Saeed Iqbal, Secretary Communications Sharif Ahmad Khan, NHA Chairman Altaf Ahmad and other officials of NHA and Motorway Police were also present.
The Minister was apprised that Rs 2560 million was collected as revenue at the M-1,M-2 and M-3, out of which, Rs 970 million was spent on their maintenance. Yearly, 10 million vehicles entering the Motorways escape without paying any toll, which could be prevented by installing a computerised toll system, he said.
Therefore, installation of ETTM system is necessary at the Motorways. On this occasion, the representatives of some private firms also informed the participants that considerable revenue can be generated from the 28 toll plazas set up at the Motorways for which electronic toll system is necessary. The Minister said that early installation of electronic toll system at the Motorways was urgently needed to prevent corruption and negligence of the staff and to ensure more revenue.
The minister said that a plan is on the card to bring revolutionary changes in the communications sector and to modernise it to meet the challenges of the new millennium and make record development in the communications sector.
The Minister was told that a number of international firms and trade houses were interested in decorating the toll plazas and displaying their advertisement boards on them which will earn the NHA a handsome amount. The Minister said that beautification of the toll plazas will provide a pleasant travel experience to the travellers and will also earn the government considerable revenue. He said: "We will introduce modern technology in the communications system to make it a model for others".