Federal Minister for Communications and Board of Investment, Abdul Aleem Khan, lauded the National Highway Authority (NHA) on Monday for achieving a remarkable 100 percent increase in revenue, alongside the successful implementation of the M-Tag system on major motorways.
During his visit to the NHA headquarters, Aleem Khan inspected the National Traffic Operation Center and expressed satisfaction with the transition of 99 percent of vehicles on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway to the M-Tag system. He noted that this shift has significantly alleviated traffic congestion and enhanced the efficiency of toll operations.
“The transition to M-Tag has improved traffic flow considerably, and I commend the NHA’s efforts to modernize the toll collection process,” he stated.
Highlighting the NHA's financial achievements, Aleem Khan revealed that the authority's projected revenue target has soared to Rs 110 billion, up from Rs 64 billion in the previous year.
“This unprecedented milestone signifies the first instance where a public institution will generate an additional Rs 50 billion in revenue,” he remarked.
The minister directed NHA officials to reduce the number of cash lanes on all motorways and increase the availability of M-Tag booths to encourage more users to adopt the system.
He emphasised the importance of equipping all toll plazas with camera systems to monitor vehicles and capture license plate information, ensuring transparency and accountability in operations. “Daily revenue reports must be prepared to maintain accountability and track progress,” he added.
In a move aimed at further encouraging M-Tag adoption, Aleem Khan proposed implementing a double toll fee for vehicles that do not use the M-Tag system, following a two-week public awareness campaign. He stressed that transitioning all motorways to M-Tag is vital for enhancing safety and ensuring smoother traffic flow.
Praising NHA officials for their dedication, Aleem Khan announced bonuses and incentives for employees contributing to the institution’s success. He also called for similar progress in M-Tag adoption on other routes, highlighting the need to reduce cash lanes and mitigate traffic congestion.