The Sindh Cabinet has approved a toll tax for heavy and commercial vehicles using the 135-kilometre Mehran Highway on Wednesday.
The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah.
The new toll will only apply to heavy and commercial vehicles. Private passenger vehicles will not have to pay the toll.
Revenue to support road maintenance
The cabinet was told that the Mehran Highway is being upgraded into a dual carriageway under a project worth Rs41 billion.
Officials said the toll system is expected to collect around Rs2.14 billion every year. After maintenance and operating costs, the government expects to earn about Rs1.48 billion each year.
This money will be used to maintain the highway and reduce the need for government funding.
The cabinet also approved toll rates for different types of heavy and commercial vehicles. The detailed rates will be announced by the relevant authorities before the toll system starts.
CM Murad Ali Shah said the new system will help keep highways in good condition and support road development across Sindh.
Read more: NHA revises Lahore-Islamabad M-2 Motorway toll charges: see new rates
NHA raises toll rates on national highways
The National Highway Authority (NHA) recently increased toll charges on national highways and several major motorways across Pakistan. The new rates came into effect today, Friday, July 10.
Under the revised toll charges, cars will now pay Rs100 on national highways. Wagons will pay Rs200 while buses will pay Rs300 at toll plazas. And these new toll rates also apply to the M-3, M-4, and M-5 motorways.
On the M-3 Motorway from Lahore to Abdul Hakeem, the toll for cars, jeeps, and taxis has been set at Rs1,000.
Wagons will now pay Rs1,500. The toll for minibuses and coasters is Rs2,200, and buses will pay Rs3,150.
On the M-4 Motorway between Pindi Bhattian and Multan, cars, jeeps, and taxis will pay Rs1,350. The toll for wagons is Rs1,950. Minibuses and coasters will pay Rs2,900 and buses will pay Rs4,050.
For the M-5 Motorway from Multan to Sukkur, the toll has been fixed at Rs1,500 for cars, jeeps, and taxis. Wagons will pay Rs2,200. The charge for minibuses and coasters is Rs3,250, and buses will pay Rs4,600.