Sindh’s broken highways, rising toll burden: Transporters warn of consequences

KARACHI (Staff Report): Transporters in Sindh are facing a double financial burden as deteriorating national highways and multiple toll plazas continue to increase the cost of goods transportation, raising questions about road maintenance and the use of toll revenue.

Rana Tariq Shoaib, Senior Vice President of the Karachi Goods Carrier Association (KGCA), said the national highway stretch from Saeedabad to Ranipur has remained in a deteriorated condition for years, while repair and reconstruction work has been progressing at a sluggish pace.

He said the poor condition of the highway has been causing serious difficulties for transporters, with damaged roads resulting in vehicle breakdowns, higher maintenance expenses and substantial financial losses.

Shoaib questioned the justification for collecting heavy toll taxes from transporters when major sections of the highways remain in disrepair. He said the government has established multiple toll plazas across the country but has failed to give adequate attention to maintaining road infrastructure.

He demanded the immediate removal of unnecessary toll plazas, a reduction in existing toll charges and urgent repair of damaged national highways.

He further argued that following reductions in diesel prices, the government should also provide relief to the transport sector by lowering toll charges.

The concerns raise broader questions about the relationship between toll collection and road maintenance, particularly the transparency of revenue utilization and the accountability of highway operators.

For Pakistan’s freight sector, deteriorating road infrastructure is not merely a transportation issue. Higher vehicle operating costs can ultimately increase the cost of moving essential commodities and place additional pressure on consumers.

Shoaib warned that the government would be responsible for the consequences if the transport industry’s concerns were not addressed.