SWAT: Residents and transporters here have criticised the Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority over the recent increase in toll tax for vehicles commuting on the Swat Expressway.

Talking to this correspondent, they said the toll tax had been increased for all types of vehicles from Oct 1, 2021, and termed it an injustice with the people of Malakand division.

They said that all the vehicles commuting on the expressway between Karnal Sher Khan Interchange and Chakdara Interchange would have to pay the increased tax.

The transporters said that under the new rates, cars, jeeps and taxis would pay Rs2.15 per kilometre, vans Rs3.75, coasters Rs5, passenger buses Rs7.14, trucks Rs9.27 and heavy trucks/trailers Rs11.42 for one year.

The list of new tax rates has been displayed at toll plazas on the Swat Expressway.

The Swat Expressway Planning, Construction and Operations Limited and Frontier Works Organisation are partners in the Swat Expressway along with the Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority.

When contacted, Swat Expressway project director engineer Bakhtullah confirmed the increase in toll tax and said that under the agreement among all the partners the toll tax would be increased by eight per cent every year.

However, the transporters and local people rejected the increase in the toll tax and said it would put a financial burden on them.

“The increase in the toll tax will affect general public as the public transporters will increase the fares,” said Aurangzeb, a resident of Mingora.

All Swat Transport Union, meanwhile, indicated that the transporters would increase the fares accordingly.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2021