Government to soon dismantle the VIP culture on highways

The central government has once again geared up to strike at the VIP  culture on highways. According to media reports, the government is not in the mood to provide any kind of exemption in taxes to VIPs at the national highway toll plazas. It is also reported that the government is planning to make changes in the toll tax rules, and the first impact of this will be seen on boards placed at toll plazas for VIPs. It is being said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been directed to remove the ‘Exempted FASTags’ boards at toll plazas, that aim to exempt VIPs from taxes.

These billboards usually contain information about dignitaries and individuals whose vehicles are exempt from paying user fees.

The suggestion was put forward during a high-level meeting led by the cabinet secretary last week. Sources suggest that this initiative could be one of the key focuses of the new government. Making this change would merely require an amendment to the NH Fee Rules.

Supporters of this proposal contend that showcasing these billboards is of little importance and represents a waste of public resources. This is mainly because the government has already distributed “exempted” FASTags to eligible vehicles for toll plaza fee waivers. Furthermore, it’s noted that few people actually take notice of the lists displayed on toll gate billboards.

The exempted categories include official vehicles of five agencies, such as the defense ministry, state armed and police forces, NHAI, and fire-fighting vehicles, in addition to ambulances.

NHAI is contemplating the possibility of allocating a separate lane for exempted-category vehicles, to avoid the day to day toll rush at the gates.