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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday firmly refuted claims circulating in the media that suggested two-wheelers would be subject to toll payments on national highways starting July 15. In a social media post on platform X, Gadkari categorically denied the existence of any such proposal and criticised the dissemination of unverified reports.

“Some media houses are spreading misleading news about the toll tax being levied on two-wheelers. No such decision has been proposed,” the minister posted. He further added, “Two-wheelers will continue to be exempt from tolls. Spreading such baseless news without verifying the facts is not responsible journalism. I strongly condemn it.”

The minister’s response comes in the wake of a widely circulated media report claiming that motorcyclists would soon be required to install FASTags and pay tolls at national highway plazas. The report also mentioned the possibility of fines of up to Rs 2,000 for non-compliance — a claim that has now been debunked.

This clarification closely follows the recent announcement of a FASTag-based annual pass for private four-wheelers. Scheduled to be rolled out on August 15, the new pass, priced at Rs 3,000, allows up to 200 trips or one year of usage, whichever comes first. It can be activated using the Rajmarg Yatra app or via official portals of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Highway Development Remains A Priority

While two-wheelers remain exempt, the Centre continues to invest heavily in upgrading India’s road infrastructure. National highway length has grown by over 60 per cent in the past decade, from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km in 2024. Daily construction rates have tripled from 11.6 km/day in 2014 to 34 km/day today.

Currently, 1,366 highway projects stretching over 32,000 km are under construction nationwide. These projects are expected to be completed gradually by FY 2028.

Over the past ten years, the government’s budget allocation for road transport and highways has witnessed a staggering 570 per cent rise, reflecting its long-term commitment to infrastructure growth.