Will Senior Babus Soon Have To Pay Highway Tolls? Centre Trimming List Of VIP Exemptions
Will Senior Babus Soon Have To Pay Highway Tolls? Centre Trimming List Of VIP Exemptions Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 12:46 IST A
Will Senior Babus Soon Have To Pay Highway Tolls? Centre Trimming List Of VIP Exemptions Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 12:46 IST A proposal to reduce toll exemptions is under consideration by the Centre. Vehicles attached to senior government officials could be among the first affected Rapid Read While no final decision has been announced, discussions on narrowing the list of toll-exempt vehicles are ongoing. The central government is considering a major overhaul of toll exemption rules on national highways, with vehicles assigned to senior Central and state government officials likely to lose their exemption status in the first phase of the proposed changes. A Times Of India report cited sources familiar with the discussions as saying that a high-level committee constituted by the Centre has recommended amendments to the Highways Fee Rules aimed at gradually reducing, and eventually eliminating, categories of vehicles exempt from paying toll charges. The committee has proposed removing the existing exempted category under the toll framework. The recommendation is currently under discussion with various stakeholders, and officials indicated that any changes may be implemented in a phased manner.
According to the TOI report, vehicles attached to government officers are among the first categories being considered for removal from the exemption list. Move Linked To Reducing VIP Privileges Officials involved in the deliberations said the proposal aligns with broader efforts to curb perceptions of VIP culture. According to a person aware of the matter, there is growing emphasis on ensuring greater uniformity in toll payments, with policymakers believing that special exemptions for government officials are often viewed unfavourably by the public. The source added that eliminating such privileges could help reinforce the message that all road users should be treated equally under the toll system. Government Departments Encouraged To Use FASTag Annual Pass As part of the discussions, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has reportedly written to various government departments and state administrations, encouraging them to opt for the FASTag Annual Pass rather than seeking toll exemptions for official vehicles. Officials suggested that departments could establish reimbursement mechanisms for employees purchasing annual passes, similar to existing reimbursement systems for official expenses. Discussions on the proposal are also understood to be underway with defence authorities.
Who Currently Receives Toll Exemptions? At present, vehicles transporting or accompanying individuals holding 25 designated public offices are exempt from paying toll charges on national highways. Several other categories also enjoy exemption, including Vehicles used for official defence purposes Central and state armed forces vehicles Paramilitary force vehicles operating in uniform Executive magistrates on official duty Fire-fighting department vehicles Vehicles engaged in highway project inspections Emergency service vehicles such as ambulances and funeral vans Exempted FASTags Still Mandatory Although exempt vehicles are not required to pay toll fees, they must still carry a valid Exempted FASTag. These tags are issued by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) under the Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and enable toll plazas to identify vehicles legally entitled to exemptions. Annual Pass Seen As Alternative Officials involved in the discussions pointed to the recently introduced FASTag Annual Pass as a viable alternative to blanket exemptions. Priced at Rs 3,075, the pass allows a vehicle to make up to 200 toll plaza crossings, bringing the average cost to just over Rs 15 per crossing. The pass can also be renewed multiple times within a year if required.
Those familiar with the proposal said government employees could purchase the pass online and seek reimbursement from their respective departments, reducing the need for special exemption categories while ensuring official travel remains cost-effective. Proposal Under Review While no final decision has been announced, discussions on narrowing the list of toll-exempt vehicles are ongoing. If approved, the move could mark one of the most significant changes to the national highway toll framework in recent years, potentially reducing exemptions while encouraging wider adoption of the FASTag-based payment system. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 01, 2026, 12:46 IST News cities new-delhi-news Will Senior Babus Soon Have To Pay Highway Tolls? Centre Trimming List Of VIP Exemptions Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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