New Delhi:
You might have observed instances where vehicles exit without paying toll taxes. In such cases, you might wonder which vehicles are exempt from paying toll taxes.
Who is exempt from paying toll taxes?
The Transport Ministry has released a list of about 25 categories of people who are exempt from paying toll taxes.
Toll tax is collected to fund road construction and ensure vehicle safety, managed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
The Government of India has introduced Fastag, a cashless toll payment system, to facilitate toll collection efficiently.
These people do not have to pay toll tax
There are several individuals in the country who are exempt from paying toll taxes.
These include:
- The President of India,
- Vice President of India,
- Prime Minister of India,
- Governors of states,
- Chief Justice of India,
- Speaker of the Lok Sabha,
- Cabinet Ministers,
- Chief Ministers of states,
- Supreme Court Judges,
- Union Ministers of State,
- Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories,
- high-ranking military officials like Chiefs of Staff or Army Commanders,
- Chairman of Legislative Councils of states,
- Speakers of Legislative Assemblies of states,
- Chief Justices of High Courts, High Court Judges,
- Members of Parliament,
- Chief Secretaries of State Governments,
- Secretaries to the Government of India,
and Secretaries in various councils and assemblies.
They also get discounts
Central and state armed forces in uniform, including paramilitary forces and police, executive magistrates,
fire department personnel, and hearse vehicles, are exempt from toll taxes.
Additionally, foreign dignitaries on state visits, members of Legislative Assemblies, and members of Legislative Councils within their respective states,
when presenting their identity cards issued by the state legislature, are also exempt from toll taxes.
Two years ago, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) issued a guideline stating that the service time for vehicles at every toll plaza in India should not exceed 10 seconds.
Even during heavy traffic, this guideline mandates that the service time should remain within 10 seconds.
Know what is the service time
Service time refers to the duration a vehicle takes to pass through the toll booth after paying toll tax. This rule aims to minimize waiting times at toll booths.
Under this new regulation, the line of vehicles at the toll plaza should not exceed 100 meters in length.
