National Highway Authority (NHA) has announced the annual 10% increase in the toll tax on Lahore-Islamabad (M2) Motorway from August 20, 2024. In a statement, the General Manager of NHA stated that the step is taken under a 20-year agreement between the National Highway Authority (NHA) and MS/More, a subsidiary of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The NHA signed the deal in 2014 to execute “overlay 86 modernization of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2)” on a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) Basis.
According to the Concessions Agreement, the following annual toll increase is applicable during this phase:
- A 10 yearly toll % increase will be applied from the 2nd operational year till 2026
- A 7% yearly toll increase will be applicable from 2026 to 2034.
New Toll Tax on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway
The old per kilometer rate on this motorway was Rs. 3.07 for cars, while the new one is Rs. 3.39 rupees per kilometer.
Toll Tax Jump on Other Highways
Earlier in July, NHA announced the yearly increase in toll taxes on highways and motorways, and the new rates will be applicable from July 1, 2024. According to a notification, the revised toll rates will be applied on national highways, Kohat Tunnel (N-55), Islamabad-Peshawar (M-1), Lahore-Abdul Hakeem (M-3), Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Multan (M-4), Multan-Sukkur (M-5), and Hakla-Havelian-Mansehra (E-35).
As mentioned earlier, this increase is under the agreement with FWO, under which a 10% increase is a must, annually. Lahore-Islamabad Motorway is the most traveled motorway in the country; hence, it is a huge revenue collector for the authorities. Despite it, the motorway remains in the news for multiple wrong reasons like the absence of a medical facility on the road like there is no major hospital on it, the reports of different frauds, mainly tyre punctures, are pretty common, and a couple of days ago, four people of a family died after reportedly buying expired food from an interchange on M2 motorway.
The authorities must take steps against such issues and ensure safe travel for everyone because this will increase people’s sense of security, leading to more commuters on the road.
What is your take on the new toll tax on the M2 Motorway? Is it justified? Please tell us in the comments section.
