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 toll on national highways, and the first category that may be removed is "secretaries to govt of India". Currently, vehicles transporting and accompanying people holding any of the 25 public offices - such as President, PM, governor, CJI, CMs and MPs - 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, and those on inspection of highway projects and for emergency purposes (ambulance, funeral van) are also exempted from paying toll. TOI has learnt that a high-level committee set up by central govt has recommended the road transport ministry amend the National Highways Fee Rules by "eliminating the exempted category".