𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞

…𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔

By Lhendup Wangmo

Bhutanese drivers, particularly truckers and daily commuters relying on the Indian FASTag system for toll payments, are grappling with unexpected toll fee hikes that have turned travel into a financial and logistical nightmare. What was once expected to streamline travel has instead led to financial burdens, delays, and frustration at key border routes like Phuentsholing to Gelephu and Phuentsholing to Samdrup Jongkhar. Despite maintaining sufficient funds in their FASTag accounts, many drivers find themselves forced to pay double the expected toll charges in cash, leading to fears about the system’s fairness and effectiveness.

Truck drivers, who rely on these routes for their livelihoods, are particularly hard-hit. Gembo, a truck driver from Phuentsholing, expressed his deep frustration: “It’s supposed to cost Nu 350, but they are charging us double. We thought the FASTag system would automatically deduct tolls, but now we’re forced to pay cash. For heavy vehicles, a single trip can now cost over Nu 4,000.” This financial strain is not only taxing drivers’ resources but also threatening their income stability.

This hike has raised concerns about whether the Indian FASTag system is serving its intended purpose of efficiency and ease of payment. Instead of providing smooth crossings, drivers report delays and discrepancies with tag scanning at toll booths. Many have been told that their tags aren’t functioning, despite having enough funds, with cash payments demanded instead at significantly higher rates.

The toll issue has sparked government attention, and efforts are already underway to address these concerns. During the 7th sitting of the second session of the National Assembly, Foreign Minister, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel reassured the public. “The government is actively collaborating with Indian authorities to resolve these issues,” said the minister.
Lyonpo D.N.Dhungyel confirmed that Bhutanese vehicles are being registered under the Indian FASTag system, with a comprehensive list of vehicles already submitted to the Indian National Highway Authority.

According to Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the Indian Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs, is committed to ensuring Bhutanese vehicles can seamlessly use the FASTag system.” Despite these efforts, for now, many truckers and drivers are struggling to navigate the new reality of rising costs, delays, and restrictions.

The financial toll of these issues has created despair among truck drivers. Karma, another trucker from Phuentsholing, said, “We never used to face these problems. It was simple to pay tolls before, but now the system is broken. We are forced to pay extra fees that we can’t afford.” Fuel prices and customs delays add to their financial woes, leaving many truckers with little choice but to shoulder these rising costs.

Truck drivers face more than just double toll fees. Many report unfair treatment compared to Indian drivers in regions like Assam. “We used to take shorter routes, but now they block our trucks, throw stones at us, and refuse passage,” Gembo explained. Restrictions in areas like Guwahati and Rangia are creating unnecessary delays, adding financial strain to already expensive trips.

The financial toll is staggering for many. One driver revealed his losses: “I have lost Nu 80,000 in recent months because of the rising tolls and delays. It is difficult to pay off loans, maintain my vehicle, or even afford fuel at these rates.” This situation has left truckers anxious about the future of their businesses.

Drivers are also grappling with other hurdles on the journey. Fuel stations have become another source of stress. Bhutanese drivers report difficulties exchanging Bhutanese currency for Indian rupees at Bhutan Oil Distributer (BOD) fuel stations on the Bhutanese side. On the Indian side, additional fees have been reported, compounding financial worries. This exchange problem only adds to the burden of crossing borders with rising costs and delays.

While the immediate toll issues create hardship, Bhutanese officials are considering long-term solutions. During one of the Meet-the-Press session, Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Lyonpo Chandra Bdr. Gurung highlighted government plans to ease these challenges. “The double toll issue is primarily focused in Assam, but we are committed to addressing it through road infrastructure upgrades,” said Lyonpo Chandra Bdr. Gurung.

The government is prioritizing key highways like the Nganglam to Dewathang section of the Southern East-West Highway, which is expected to be completed by the end of Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. Additionally, feasibility studies are already being conducted for strategic highways like Lhamoizingkha-Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu-Tareythang. While these steps are encouraging, the truckers’ immediate concerns remain unresolved.

Many truck drivers, including Gembo, are calling for swift action and practical solutions to alleviate their burdens. “We just want things to return to how they were. Every trip now feels like a battle against rising fees and delays,” he said.
The issue doesn’t just affect truckers, it has a ripple effect on Bhutan’s broader economy. As toll charges, fuel costs, and delays stack up, they strain businesses dependent on cross-border trade. Truck drivers depend on these routes to transport goods efficiently, and these additional costs risk making their operations unsustainable. With each additional fee, it becomes harder for these drivers to manage expenses, pay off loans, and maintain operations.

For many, the strain is no longer a distant concern but a daily reality. Drivers like Karma are concerned about whether their businesses will survive under the current financial strain. The FASTag system, intended to make cross-border trade simpler, is instead compounding their difficulties, with many questioning its effectiveness.

Truckers and commuters are now urging both governments to intervene quickly. They are calling on the Bhutanese government to engage in urgent dialogue with Indian authorities to bring fairness and transparency back to cross-border travel. Many believe that swift solutions- whether through addressing toll discrepancies, improving infrastructure, or negotiating clearer rules- are necessary to prevent further economic hardship.

One trucker summed it up: “The financial strain is unbearable. The government needs to step in and fix this quickly before more drivers lose their livelihoods.”

As the government explores long-term infrastructure investments and policy solutions, the immediate concerns of truck drivers and commuters remain unresolved. With increasing pressure, both sides will need to act quickly to ensure the fairness and effectiveness of the FASTag system while addressing the financial toll borne by Bhutanese drivers navigating these key routes.