List of vehicles exempted from NH toll may soon be pruned

NEW DELHI: Govt is looking at pruning the list of vehicles exempted from paying tolls on national highways, and to begin vehicles attached to senior Central and state govt officers are likely to be taken out from the “exempted category”, TOI has learnt.A high level committee set up by the central govt has recommended the road transport ministry to amend the National Highways Fee Rules “eliminating the exempted category”. The proposal is under discussion with various stakeholders and there is a possibility of reducing the exempted category of vehicles in a graded manner, officials said.“The proposal to begin this exercise with govt officers is under active consideration. There is a focus on doing away with VIP culture as this doesn’t go down well with common citizens,” said a person aware of the development. Road transport ministry has written to different govt entities and states to persuade their employees to buy FASTag Annual Pass rather than seeking exemption. “They can devise a mechanism to reimburse the amount for FASTag Annual pass, which is much less than reimbursement of mobile phone bills. Discussions are also on with defence forces,” an official said.Currently, vehicles transporting and accompanying people holding 25 public offices are exempted from paying toll. Vehicles used for official purposes by defence personnel, central and state armed forces in uniform including paramilitary forces, executive magistrate, fire fighting department, inspection of highway projects and emergency purposes (ambulance, funeral van) are also exempted from paying toll.‘Exempted Fastags’ are issued by IHMCL under National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to vehicles legally exempt from paying toll charges. Even though these vehicles do not pay tolls, they must still affix a valid Exempted FASTag.People privy to the deliberations said with the roll out of FASTag Annual Pass, now people can buy this online and get the amount reimbursed from their respective department. With the Rs 3,075 annual pass, a vehicle can cross 200 toll plazas, which costs little over Rs 15 per plaza, and this can be renewed multiple times in a year.