KATHMANDU, July 17: After a six-year hiatus, the government is reviving the road toll system—known locally as Patake Dastur—aimed at collecting fees from vehicles using upgraded highways. This renewed push comes as part of broader efforts to finance road maintenance and infrastructure upgrades through user-based revenue models.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) has already endorsed the Road Toll Collection (Procedure) Regulation 2081 BS, setting the stage for toll collection to begin. The first implementation will be along the much-anticipated Nagdhunga Tunnel Road, where tolls ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 500 have been proposed, depending on the vehicle type.
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Spokesperson at MoPIT Bhimarjun Adhikari said the toll rule will first be enforced at Nagdhunga and gradually extended to other upgraded highways such as Nagdhunga–Mugling, Narayanghat–Butwal, and Mugling–Pokhara, where road enhancement work is currently ongoing. Once completed, toll collection points will be established there as well.
Until 2019, toll booths were active at locations like Naubise, Mugling, and Gaindakot. However, the system was suspended in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The revival marks a return to a model where road users help fund road upkeep, with officials assuring that all toll revenues will go directly toward maintenance of the respective roads.
The government plans to bring the Nagdhunga Tunnel Road into operation by mid-January, 2026. Minister Devendra Dahal, who recently completed one year in office, confirmed the initiative during a press meet, calling it a major step toward sustainable infrastructure financing.
With upgraded infrastructure, revived toll systems and a raft of policy reforms underway, the officials say the MoPIT is laying the foundation for a more efficient and self-sustaining transport ecosystem. The success of this effort, however, will largely depend on how well it balances revenue generation with public convenience and service quality.
