FACT CHECK: Will you have to pay toll for two-wheeelers from July 15? Here's the truth

With reports which claimed two-wheelers would have to pay toll charges from July 15 going viral on social media, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has come up with a clarification.

Minister Nitin Gadkari too posted on X that some media houses were spreading misleading news about imposing toll charges on two-wheelers. "No such decision has been proposed," the Union minister wrote in Hindi, assuring citizens that the exemption for the two-wheelers would continue fully.

Condemning news outlets publishing misinformation, Gadkari said, "Spreading misleading news without verifying the truth to create a sensation is not a sign of healthy journalism."

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) also pointed out that there was no such plans under its consideration.

The PIB Fact Check team also revealed that the viral claims are fake and NHAI has made "NO such announcement". It warned users to verify with official sources "before believing viral news".

However, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to X , slamming the government for levying toll on two-wheelers, claiming that the public is burdened with exorbitant toll prices. But the post was apparently removed from his page later.

Ramesh also shared a post by the Congress on X, saying, "Modi government means recovery government. Narendra Modi has brought a new plan to rob the pocket of the public. Now toll tax will also be forcibly collected from bikes."

Two-wheelers have been exempt from paying toll on major highways in order to relieve low-income commuters of financial burden. This also reduces long queues at toll booths.

India