NHAI Denies Toll Tax on Two-Wheelers as Fake News; Minister Gadkari Supports Clarification

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has refuted reports about the imposition of toll tax on two-wheelers, calling them 'fake news.' The government has confirmed that there is no proposal to introduce toll charges for two-wheeler vehicles. Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has supported NHAI's clarification and criticized the spread of misinformation by media outlets. He denounced the speculative reports suggesting the government's intention to impose toll tax on two-wheelers.

In an official statement, NHAI stated, '#FactCheck: Reports claiming that the Government of India is planning to levy user fees on two-wheelers are false. NHAI clarifies that there is no such proposal under consideration. There are no plans to introduce toll charges for two-wheelers. #FakeNews'

Nitin Gadkari, in a Hindi post, condemned the misleading news about toll tax on two-wheelers and affirmed that the exemption on toll for these vehicles will continue. He criticized the dissemination of unverified news to create sensation and emphasized the importance of responsible journalism.

Additionally, the government is set to introduce a FASTag-based Annual Pass to facilitate travel and reduce costs for commuters by enabling seamless passage through toll plazas. Commuters can cross 200 toll plazas on National Highways by paying ₹3,000 annually, significantly reducing the average expenditure from around ₹10,000. The scheme is expected to commence from August 15, offering a more economical option for regular highway travelers.

The Ministry has also announced the 'ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System' to ensure smooth vehicle movement at selected toll plazas. This system will utilize Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and FASTag RFID technology for toll collection, enabling automatic charging without the need to stop at toll plazas. Non-compliance may result in penalties and FASTag suspension.