Islamabad: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has announced a 10% increase in the toll tax on the Lahore-Islamabad (M2) Motorway, effective from August 20, 2024, as reported on August 28.
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As per details, this annual hike, part of a 20-year agreement between the NHA and MS/More—a subsidiary of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) is a key component of the “Overlay and Modernisation of the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2)” project, initiated under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model in 2014.
As per the Concessions Agreement, the toll tax will see a 10% annual increase from the second operational year until 2026, after which a 7% yearly increase will apply from 2026 to 2034.
New Toll Tax on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway
Toll Increases Across Other Highways
In addition to the M2 Motorway, the NHA had earlier announced a similar annual toll increase across various national highways and motorways, including the Kohat Tunnel (N-55), Islamabad-Peshawar (M-1), Lahore-Abdul Hakeem (M-3), Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad-Multan (M-4), Multan-Sukkur (M-5), and Hakla-Havelian-Mansehra (E-35). These revised toll rates have been in effect since July 1, 2024.
The Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, one of the busiest in the country, remains a significant revenue source for the NHA. However, the route has faced criticism for ongoing issues such as the lack of medical facilities, reports of fraudulent activities like tire puncture scams, and safety concerns. Recently, a tragic incident occurred where a family of four lost their lives after consuming expired food purchased from an interchange on the M2.
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In light of these concerns, it is imperative that the authorities address these safety and service issues promptly to ensure secure and reliable travel for all commuters. Improving these aspects will not only enhance public trust but could also lead to increased usage of the motorway.
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