India moves to cut VIP culture at toll plazas | Fusion - WeRIndia

To reduce VIP culture and save public funds, the Indian government is considering the removal of large hoardings at National Highway toll plazas.

These signs currently display the names of dignitaries and other officials exempt from toll fees.

The proposal emerged from a high-level meeting chaired by the cabinet secretary and reflects a broader initiative by the new government to address unnecessary expenditures.

The government’s rationale for this change hinges on the introduction of exempted FASTags, which automate the exemption process for eligible vehicles at toll booths.

Officials argue that the existing hoardings, list exemptions for 22 dignitaries and vehicles from five agencies.

These include the Defence Ministry and NHAI, which are now largely redundant.

Moreover, these signs have reportedly led to congestion and disputes at toll plazas, as some officials in private vehicles have sought exemptions, causing delays.

To implement this change, the government would only need to amend the NH Fee Rules.

This move is seen as a significant step towards making toll operations more efficient and less prone to abuse under the guise of VIP status.

Additionally, it aligns with public sentiment against the overt display of privilege, particularly when it leads to waste and inefficiency.

Highlighting the issue, Prithvi Singh Kandhal, Associate Director Emeritus at the US National Center for Asphalt Technology and a resident of Jaipur. It has been vocal about this misuse of resources since 2017.

In his communications with NHAI, the highway ministry, and the PMO, Kandhal criticized the government for perpetuating a VIP culture that is not prevalent in other parts of the world.

According to him, in countries like North America and Europe, even VIPs are expected to pay tolls upfront and claim reimbursements later, a practice that underscores equality and practicality.

As the government moves forward with this initiative, the focus is on fostering a more egalitarian approach to road usage and governance.

This could potentially lead to designated lanes for exempt vehicles to streamline traffic and further reduce bottlenecks at toll collection points, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of road travel in India.

Image Credit: Rsrikanth05, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MEP-Pennalur-Toll-Plaza.JPG