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The government has announced plans to reintroduce road and bridge tolls across the country, three years after their abolition. This move is aimed at generating revenue for road maintenance and infrastructure development.
In 2022, the government scrapped toll collection on public roads and bridges, citing heavy vehicular congestion, prolonged travel time, and inefficiencies in revenue collection. However, a statement issued by the Ministry of Roads and Highways on Thursday, February 6, 2025, confirmed the decision to bring back the toll system.
A Modern Approach to Toll Collection
According to the statement, the ministry is working on implementing a technologically driven toll collection system to address past inefficiencies and improve revenue mobilization.
“The Ministry of Roads and Highways wishes to announce to the public that the government intends to reintroduce road and bridge tolls to generate revenue for road maintenance and related matters. To this end, the Ministry is putting together the modalities for a modern technologically driven toll collection system,” the statement read.
Public Reaction and Expectations
The decision is expected to generate mixed reactions among the public, particularly road users and transport operators. While some may welcome the move as a necessary step for road maintenance, others may question its timing and impact on transportation costs.
Stakeholders in the transport and infrastructure sectors will be closely watching how the government structures the toll collection system to ensure efficiency, transparency, and minimal inconvenience to commuters.
Further details on the implementation timeline, toll rates, and collection mechanisms are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Background
- In November 2021, the government announced the removal of road tolls in the 2022 Budget, effective November 18, 2021.
- The decision was met with mixed reactions, with some praising the move for reducing traffic congestion, while others criticized the loss of revenue for road maintenance.
- The government later hinted at reintroducing tolls under a more efficient, automated system.
With the latest announcement, attention will be on how the new system is structured to balance revenue generation with convenience for road users.
