The recent steps taken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to smoothen the flow of toll taxes have been appreciated, However, people often have to wait in long lines at toll plazas. Many individuals attempt to pass through toll plazas for free by making various excuses, but according to NHAI, five categories of vehicles are exempt from paying toll taxes.
Emergency services, defense services, VIP vehicles, public transport, and two-wheeler vehicles are all eligible for toll tax exemptions. NHAI has granted exemptions to fire brigade ambulances, police vehicles in case of emergencies, defense vehicles under service, and VIP vehicles including those of the President, Prime Minister, and foreign dignitaries on state visits. Additionally, some national highway plazas also provide exemptions to public transport vehicles and two-wheeler vehicles operated by state governments.
Private vehicles do not receive any tax exemptions. However, according to NHAI’s new guidelines, vehicles cannot wait in queues longer than 100 meters. There is no need for each vehicle to take a 10-second service time at the toll plaza. If the queue exceeds 100 meters and the conditions are not met, as per the rules, toll booth employees must let the vehicle pass for free until it enters the 100-meter radius.
To identify the 100-meter limit, each toll booth has a yellow line to make it easily visible. This measure has been put in place to encourage accountability among toll plaza operators.
Summery:
– The Indian National Highway Authority has taken steps to smooth the flow of toll tax payment, but people still have to wait in long lines at toll plazas.
– Five categories of vehicles are exempt from paying toll tax, including emergency services, defense services, VIP vehicles, public transport, and two-wheeler vehicles.
– Private vehicles are not exempt from toll tax, but new guidelines state that vehicles cannot be lined up for more than 100 meters at toll plazas and do not have to take a 10 second service time for each vehicle.
– If the line is longer than 100 meters, toll employees must let the vehicle pass for free until it reaches the 100-meter range, which is indicated by a yellow line at each toll lane.
