Two -wheelers will not have to pay toll on national highway; False claim viral

A claim is going viral on social media that two-wheelers will also have to pay toll on national highways from July 15. 

While making this claim, users write in the caption that, “From July 15, two-wheeler riders using national highways will also have to pay toll tax. Until now, only cars, trucks, and larger vehicles were charged. The new rule requires two-wheelers to use FASTag to pay the toll every time they pass through toll plazas. If they do not, they must pay a penalty of ₹2,000.”

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Fact-Check

a keyword search and official responses confirm that the viral claim is false. 

Neither the Union Transport Ministry nor the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has made any such decision.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari took to Twitter to clarify the situation. He wrote: “Some media platforms are spreading misleading news that toll will be charged on two-wheelers. This is not true. No such proposal exists. Two-wheelers will remain completely toll-free. Spreading fake news without fact-checking and causing confusion is not responsible journalism. I condemn this.”

Tweet

In his tweet, Gadkari also tagged the news channel TV9 Bharatvarsh, which had earlier reported that two-wheelers would need to pay toll from July 15. Following the minister’s response, TV9 admitted their mistake and issued a corrected report, confirming that there is no such plan, and toll will not be charged on two-wheelers.

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NHAI Also Responds

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also tweeted denying the viral claim. They clearly stated that no toll will be charged on two-wheelers, and the circulating reports are false.

Tweet 

Two-Wheelers Not Allowed on Expressways

While there is no toll for two-wheelers, it’s important to note that two-wheelers, three-wheelers, bicycles, and animal-drawn vehicles are not allowed on expressways. This restriction exists for safety reasons, not because of toll charges. You can read the detailed news here, here and here.

According to the Highway Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, only vehicles with at least four wheels are permitted on expressway networks. Any restricted vehicle found on these roads will be stopped and advised to use alternate routes.

Highway Guideline

Conclusion

This proves that the claim that toll will be levied on two-wheelers from July 15th is completely false. Both the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and NHAI have clarified that there is no such proposal, and two-wheelers remain toll-free.

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