10pc increase in M2 toll tax from next week

ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority will increase the toll tax of the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2) next week.

The notification of increase will be issued under the agreement signed with FWO on April 3, 2014. This motorway was inaugurated on November 26, 1997 by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The current toll tax rate of this motorway on August 25 is Rs1,100 for motor car, Rs1,840 for wagon, Rs2,590 for coaster, Rs3,690 for bus, Rs4,800 for truck and Rs6,170 for trailer. But from August 26, 2024, the toll tax on motor car will be increased to Rs1,210, wagon Rs2,024, coaster Rs2,849, bus Rs4,059, truck Rs5,280 and trailer Rs6,787 for a one-way trip.

According to National Highway Authority (NHA) spokesperson Sohail Aftab, the increase in toll tax rates will be announced as per the agreement with the FWO. Notification has been issued of increase in toll tax of national highways and motorways across Pakistan. It will be implemented from July 2024. But the notification of more or less 10 percent increase in toll tax of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway will be issued sometime next week.

M2 is the first motorway built in South Asia, and the entire highway is located in Punjab with ten service and rest areas providing facilities to motorists on both sides of the motorway. Petrol pump, car wash, car repair and fast food restaurants have also been built here. The M2 Motorway will be part of Asian Highway.

The Motorway connects Islamabad with Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Kallar Kahar, Bhera, Bhalwal, Pindi Bhatian, Sheikhupura and Kot Malik. In 2016, 100 percent resurfacing of the 375 km-long Motorway was completed.