Two-Wheeler Riders In India To Now Pay Mandatory Toll Tax from July 15: NHAI Calls It 'Fake News'
Four-wheeler owners in India are already fed up with the extensively high amount of road and toll taxes levied by the Indian government. However, in the coming few months, two-wheeler riders who so far have enjoyed free travel on the highways will now be required to pay toll taxes. As per the reports, from July 15th, two-wheeler riders’ exemption from travelling for free on the highways will be removed. They will now be required to pay toll taxes using FASTag.
Clarification by NHAI
It has now clarified by NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) that the reports about two-wheelers mandate for FASTag and payment of tolls across India are fake. We originally shared the same report as it was reported by India Today which is a very credible source. Now following the clarification, the original report by India Today has been removed. However, we are updating our report to make sure that readers understand why we carried this story.
Two-wheeler riders to now pay toll taxes
Recently, it has been reported that to make two-wheeler riders more equitable contributors to the maintenance of road infrastructure, they will now be required to pay toll taxes from July 15. At the moment, the official notification from the Government of India has not been released. However, it is believed that it will soon be announced officially.
From July 15, two-wheeler riders, just like private and commercial four-wheeler owners and drivers, will now be required to buy FASTags for their vehicles. They will then have to link their FASTags with bank accounts and pay toll every time they cross a toll booth. This adoption will be mandatory, and if the two-wheeler owner does not have a FASTag, they'll have to pay double the toll in cash.
Why will two-wheeler riders pay toll tax from now?
Reportedly, the Government of India is mandating two-wheeler owners to pay toll taxes using FASTag for various reasons. The first and the most important one is equitable infrastructure funding. Currently, two-wheelers represent a massive portion of India's road traffic.
Now, the authorities have argued that it's time two-wheeler riders contribute their share to road maintenance and development, just like other vehicles. Apart from this, the Government of India wants to push digital toll collection. So, extending FASTag to two-wheelers helps the authorities align with the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) Smart Tolling vision.
Lastly, another major reason behind this mandate is the generation of revenue for road expansion. India is growing at a rapid pace, and with growing investments in national highways, the government needs consistent funding from all road users, not just four-wheelers.
Problems that will be faced by two-wheeler riders
Once the two-wheeler riders are mandated to purchase FASTag and pay toll taxes, they will start facing a few different issues. The first will be that their travel cost will increase. Daily riders, delivery executives, and small business owners who depend on two-wheelers will now face extra costs for highway use.
Apart from this, riders will have to become familiar with digital toll systems. They will also be required to learn to link accounts, maintain FASTag balances, and track deductions. This might be easier for urban two-wheeler riders. However, two-wheeler riders from rural India might face problems in adapting to this new system of toll collection (new to them).
Presently, a number of netizens and two-wheeler riders have shared their divided opinions. Some have stated that this more equitable system is fair. However, many people have opposed this mandate. They have highlighted that the new tolls will add to the burden of low-income riders who rely on two-wheelers for essential travel. It has also been added that the livelihood-related impact could be significant for gig workers and delivery riders.