Are Two-Wheelers Going to Face Toll Charges?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- No tolls for two-wheelers will be implemented.
- FASTag pass for four-wheelers will launch on August 15.
- The length of national highways has increased by over 60% in the last decade.
- The pace of highway construction has tripled.
- 1,366 highway projects are currently under development across India.
New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday refuted media claims that two-wheelers would be subjected to toll fees on National Highways starting July 15. He labeled these reports as misleading and emphasized that there is no proposal currently under consideration.
In a statement on social media platform X, the Minister remarked: "Certain media outlets are disseminating false information regarding toll taxes for two-wheelers. No such decision has been made."
"Toll exemptions for two-wheelers will remain in place. Disseminating such unfounded news without fact-checking is irresponsible journalism. I strongly denounce it," he added.
This clarification follows reports that indicated toll payments would soon be compulsory for two-wheelers at all national highway toll plazas, requiring riders to install FASTag on their vehicles.
The reports suggested that offenders could incur fines of up to Rs 2,000. This announcement came shortly after Gadkari revealed a new annual FASTag pass priced at Rs 3,000 for private four-wheelers, aimed at easing toll payment processes and alleviating congestion.
Scheduled to launch on August 15, this pass will be valid for one year or 200 trips, depending on which limit is reached first, and can be activated through the Rajmarg Yatra app or the official websites of the NHAI and the MoRTH.
Over the last decade, the government has made considerable advancements in highway infrastructure, increasing the total length of national highways from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km by 2024 – a growth exceeding 60 percent.
The rate of highway construction has also surged from 11.6 km/day in 2014 to 34 km/day in 2024.
Currently, 1,366 highway projects spanning 32,366 km are underway nationwide, with many expected to be completed in phases by FY 2028.
With a 570 percent increase in the road transport and highways budget over the past decade, the Centre remains committed to infrastructure development. For the time being, two-wheeler riders can be assured that tolls are not imminent.