Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has firmly denied recent media reports claiming that two-wheelers will soon be charged toll tax on national highways.
In a social media post on June 26, 2025, Gadkari clarified that no such proposal is under consideration and assured the public that the complete exemption from toll for two-wheelers will continue. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) echoed this statement, labelling earlier reports as “fake news” and confirming that there are no plans to introduce toll charges for two-wheelers.
Clarification and Official Statements
Nitin Gadkari’s statement on social media was unequivocal: “Some media houses are spreading misleading news about imposing toll tax on two-wheeler vehicles. No such decision has been proposed. The exemption on toll for two-wheeler vehicles will continue fully. Spreading misleading news without verifying the truth to create a sensation is not a sign of healthy journalism. I condemn this.”
He further explained that road tax is already collected from two-wheeler owners at the time of purchase, which is why tolls are not charged from them on national highways. The NHAI also issued an official clarification, stating that no proposal to levy toll on two-wheelers is under consideration by the government and that the current exemption policy remains unchanged.
Background and Context
The rumours about toll tax being imposed on two-wheelers had caused widespread concern among commuters, especially those from low-income backgrounds who rely heavily on motorcycles and scooters for daily travel. Two-wheelers make up a significant portion of India’s road traffic and have historically been exempt from tolls to support affordability and reduce congestion at toll plazas.
The confusion arose after some media outlets reported that toll-free travel for two-wheelers might end, with claims that a new FASTag-based system would be implemented from July 15, 2025. These reports were quickly debunked by both Gadkari and the NHAI, who reaffirmed that two-wheelers will continue to enjoy toll-free access on national highways. Additionally, while a new FASTag-based annual pass for private cars is being introduced from August 15, it does not apply to two-wheelers.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we welcome the government’s transparency and swift action to dispel misinformation that could have affected millions of ordinary citizens. Spreading unverified news not only creates unnecessary panic but also undermines trust in media and institutions.
