𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚

…𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Kinzang Lhamo

Thousands of Bhutanese vehicles, estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 daily, travel along highways in Assam and West Bengal, forming a critical route for cross-border trade and connectivity. Despite the importance of these roads, Bhutanese drivers and vehicle owners continue to face persistent challenges related to toll payments.

For years, drivers have reported being charged double toll fees and an additional 50 percent surcharge when paying in Bhutanese Ngultrum. The toll booths reportedly do not accept FASTag payments from Bhutanese vehicles, a digital toll system widely used across India. As a result, drivers are forced to pay cash, often at rates higher than standard fees.
According to truck drivers, these added costs are increasing their financial burden, especially for those repaying vehicle loans and operating under tight margins. Over time, the issue is also straining Bhutan’s transport sector and affecting the country’s Indian Rupee reserves, which are essential for trade transactions.

The matter was raised during the second session of the Fourth Parliament, when the Member of Parliament from Nganglam raised concerns about the challenges faced by Bhutanese drivers to Lyonpo D.N Dhungyel who was the Minister of Information and Communication then. During that time, he responded by affirming that the Ministry had been actively engaging with Indian authorities to seek a resolution.

And in the ongoing parliament session when the issue was raised again by the member of parliament from Radhi Sagteng, Lyonpo D.N Dhungyel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade responded, “We are discussing the issue of toll fees with the National Highway Authority of India and other relevant authorities.” He added that as an interim measure, Bhutanese drivers could open Indian bank accounts to enable online FASTag payments. “We are actively looking into this issue and hope to resolve it within the next two months,” he added.

Some drivers have questioned the feasibility of this proposal. Gembo, a truck driver who frequently travels these routes, described the challenges. “The FASTag charges are double for us. Where we should pay Rs. 500, we end up paying Nu. 1,000. For a round trip, the tolls add up to almost Nu. 8,000. Earlier, we only paid around Nu. 250 to Nu. 350,” he said. He added that while roads in West Bengal have improved, the problems persist, particularly when paying in Ngultrum. “If we pay Nu. 1,000, they demand Nu. 1,500. Also, getting Indian currency is very difficult now, and currency exchanges in Bhutan charge a 10 percent tax,” he said.

Gembo also proposed forming a Truckers’ Association in collaboration with Indian counterparts to create a platform for raising and resolving such issues. He suggested the association could also help manage toll collections more transparently.

Wangdi, another truck driver who frequently travels between Samdrup Jongkhar and Phuentsholing, shared similar concerns. “The toll fees have become a huge burden for us, especially with the double charges and extra costs when paying in Ngultrum,” he said. “If the government can find a solution soon, it will ease the financial stress on drivers. We just want a fair system where we can pay like everyone else, without penalties or surcharges.”

The Bhutan Truckers Association has also raised concerns about the toll charges. Ugyen Tenzin, the finance officer of the association, said Bhutanese drivers are often not allowed to pay in Ngultrum and are made to pay tolls in cash at multiple stations. “We pay a total of five toll fees on certain routes. Even when we have a FASTag, toll operators do not allow us to use it and instead charge us double the toll fee. For instance, where we should pay Rs. 1,000, we end up paying Nu. 2,000. The minimum toll is Rs. 460,” he said.

He added that for the Nganglam to Phuentsholing route alone, toll fees reach Rs. 7,780. With drivers making several trips monthly, toll payments can total between Nu. 40,000 and Nu. 50,000, affecting their ability to support families and repay loans. “The toll fees vary based on the number of wheels on the vehicle, but the steep increase impacts all drivers,” Ugyen said.

Despite these challenges, Ugyen expressed hope that a resolution would be reached soon. “We hope the government’s efforts will bear fruit soon, ideally within the next one or two months, as mentioned by Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade in the National Assembly,” he said. He explained that while the West Bengal highways present fewer issues, the stretch from Pathsala in Assam to the West Bengal border is where problems occur. “There are five toll stations on that route. Even though we have FASTag, toll staff refuse to accept it and demand cash payments instead. Government vehicles also face similar issues,” he added.

He said the problem seems to be more about enforcement at toll booths rather than official policy. “Previously, we paid around Nu. 12,000 per month, but now it’s nearly Nu. 25,000 for just five trips. Heavy vehicles probably pay even more. Allowing us to use FASTag would greatly reduce this financial burden,” he said.

Ugyen also pointed out that Bhutanese vehicles, including private and government ones, are often restricted compared to Indian vehicles, which are freely allowed to use FASTag and pay standard toll fees.

As discussions continue, Bhutanese drivers and associations are looking for a timely solution that ensures fair treatment and removes the additional costs they face while using Indian highways. The situation remains unresolved, but there is cautious optimism that progress will be made in the coming months.