Addressing a Sahyog Shivir programme at the Haripur Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan in Araria district’s Forbesganj block, Choudhary accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation about the new policy.(File/Express Photo)Amid mounting criticism from the Opposition over Bihar’s newly notified road user fee framework, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday said private vehicles would not have to pay toll on state-owned roads and bridges, clarifying that the proposed levy would apply only to commercial vehicles.Addressing a Sahyog Shivir programme at the Haripur Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan in Araria district’s Forbesganj block, Choudhary accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation about the new policy.“There is no confusion over toll tax… The Bihar government has decided that no toll tax will be imposed on private vehicles. Only commercial vehicles will be charged,” he said.The clarification comes a day after the Road Construction Department issued a notification laying down the Bihar Road User Fee (Determination and Collection of Rates) Rules, 2026, which were approved by the state Cabinet on July 1.The notification prescribes user fee rates for various categories of vehicles, including cars, jeeps and vans at Rs 1.25 per kilometre, light commercial vehicles at Rs 2 per kilometre, buses and trucks at Rs 4.25 per kilometre, and heavy multi-axle vehicles between Rs 6.65 and Rs 8.10 per kilometre depending on axle configuration. It also provides for separate charges on notified bridges, bypasses and other road structures.The rules create the legal framework for levying user fees on roads, bridges, tunnels, bypasses and other road infrastructure owned by the Bihar government. They also provide for annual revision of rates based on the Wholesale Price Index, electronic toll collection through FASTag and other approved systems, higher charges for overloaded and non-FASTag vehicles, concessional passes, specified exemptions, and provisions relating to audit and enforcement.While the notification includes rates for private vehicles such as cars, the Chief Minister said they would remain outside the scope of the proposed toll regime, indicating that only commercial vehicles would ultimately be charged. It was not immediately clear whether the government would amend the notified rules to reflect the exemption.Financial pressuresStory continues below this adThe notification comes at a time when the state government is under pressure over its finances. In recent weeks, it withdrew Rs 3,662 crore from the Contingency Fund to meet social security pension payments and has proposed raising more than Rs 64,000 crore through market borrowings during the current financial year.According to the Bihar Economic Survey 2025-26, the state has invested around Rs 1.80 lakh crore in road infrastructure since 2005-06. Bihar has over 3,600 km of state highways and more than 16,700 km of major district roads, in addition to 6,389 km of national highways, where toll collection is governed by the Centre. The survey also shows that Bihar registered 13.95 lakh vehicles in 2024, including around 12.25 lakh non-transport vehicles and 1.70 lakh transport vehicles.Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance. Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment. Specialized Beats Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact. Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues. Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More Tags:BiharSamrat Choudhary