Sindh Government Unveils Toll Plan for Mehran Highway to Boost Revenue and Enhance Infrastructure

In a significant move to bolster the province's revenue and upgrade its infrastructure, the Sindh Cabinet has given the green light to introduce a toll system on the 135-kilometer Nawabshah-Ranipur Mehran Highway. The decision, spearheaded by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, aims to generate a substantial revenue stream dedicated to the maintenance, rehabilitation, and further development of the highway and related infrastructure. The proposed tolling system is expected to yield an annual gross revenue of approximately Rs2.14 billion, with a net annual revenue of around Rs1.48 billion after accounting for operational expenses. This financial boost will be instrumental in funding the ongoing dualization of the Mehran Highway, a project estimated to cost around Rs41 billion. The toll system will primarily target heavy and commercial vehicles, with the adoption of a class-based fixed toll rate system. Additionally, the cabinet has approved the import of 0.5 million metric tons of wheat to address the anticipated wheat shortfall of 1.69 million metric tons in the province. Furthermore, the Minimum Wages Board's recommendation for a 7.5% increase in minimum wages across the province has been approved, benefiting workers in industrial and commercial establishments. The cabinet also deliberated on the Sindh Government Lands Management Bill, 2026, which seeks to introduce a modern and transparent framework for managing government lands, replacing the outdated Colonisation of Government Lands Act, 1912.