Lok Sabha Question No. 20 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-02
Subject: Toll Tax Policy
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 20

ANSWERED ON 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2017

## TOLL TAX POLICY

## 20. SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h

(a)  the  details  of  the  toll  tax  policy  alongwith  the  number  of  toll  tax  collection  centres  functioning  on National Highways (NHs) of the country;

(b)  whether  any  complaints  have  been  received  with  regard  to  levying  of  excess  toll  tax  on  certain highways before its completion, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Maharashtra;

(c) whether the said tax is being levied before the completion of such  highways without following any rules,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  action  taken/being  taken  by  the Government in this regard;

(d)  whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  set  up  a  separate  regulatory  authority  to  review  toll  tax policy for ensuring levying of economical toll tax rate and effective monitoring of toll tax collection, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to ensure the economical movement of vehicles on NHs; and

(e) the details of the exempted Very Important Persons' (VIPs) vehicles and other category of vehicles?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)  Government has notified the National Highways Fee  (Determination of Rates & Collection) Rules, 2008 on 5.12.2008, as amended from time to time for the projects taken up on or after 05.12.2008. For the stretches completed before 5 th December, 2008 the fee collection is as per the National Highways(collection  of  Fees  by  any  person  for  the  use  of  Section  of  National  Highways/Permanent Bridge/Temporary Bridge on National Highways) Rules, 1997; and the National Highways (Rate of fee) Rules, 1997 for those completed after the date of notification of these Rules. The user fee on a stretch of National Highways is collected as per the individual Notifications published in the Official Gazette by the Central  Government.    In  case  where  a  particular  stretch  of  National  Highway  is  entrusted  to  a  State Government/UT, they comply with the Notification issued by the Central Government. Presently, there are 420 fee plazas operational on National Highways across the country.

(b) & (c) User fee at a Fee Plaza on National Highway is collected only for the completed length of NH sections as per the provision of Concession/Contract Agreement and applicable NH Fee Rules. However, as per amended NH Fee Rule 2008, S.O. 778 (E) dated 16.12.2013, in case of an existing four lane NH Section (on which user fee is already being collected), is being upgraded to six or more lane, then the user fee collection would continue during the development/ up-gradation work also at reduced rate of 75% of the fee applicable till the completion of the project without any annual revision.

(d) No, Madam.

(e) For BOT (Toll)/OMT Projects (private developer projects), user fee exemption is available to different category  vehicles as  per provisions  of  the  respective  Concession  Agreements  and  applicable  fee  rules. Whereas,  as  per  the  National  Highways  Fee  (Determination  of  Rates  &  Collection)  Rules,  2008,  as amended, the following category of mechanical vehicles are exempted from paying user fee on National Highways-

-  Those that are transporting and accompanying,-
- i. The President of India
- ii. The Vice President of India
- iii. The Prime-Minister of India
- iv. The Governor of a State;
- v. The Chief Justice of India
- vi. The Speaker of the House of People
- vii. The Cabinet Minister of the Union
- viii. The Chief Minister of the State
- ix. The Judge of the Supreme Court
- x. The Minister of State of the Union
- xi. The Lieutenant Governor of a Union Territory
- xii. The Chief of Staff holding  the rank of full General or equivalent rank
- xiii. The Chairman of Legislative council of a State
- xiv. The speaker of Legislative assembly of a State
- xv. The Chief Justice of a High Court
- xvi. The Judge of a High Court
- xvii. The Member of Parliament
- xviii. The Army Commander or Vice- Chief of Army Staff and Equivalent in other services
- xix. The Chief Secretary to a State Government within concerned State
- xx. The Secretary to the Government of India
- xxi. The Secretary, Council of States
- xxii. The Secretary, House of People
- xxiii. The Foreign dignitary on State visit
- xxiv. The Member of Legislative Assembly of a State and the Member of Legislative Council of a State within their respective State, if he or she produces his or her identity card issued by the concerned Legislature of the State
- xxv. The  awardee  of  ParamVir  Chakra,  Ashok  Chakra,  MahaVir  Chakra,  Kirti  Chakra,  Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, if such awardee produces his or her photo identity card duly authenticated by the appropriate or competent authority for such award;
-  Used for Official purpose by:-
- i. the Ministry of Defence including those which are eligible for exemption in accordance with  the  provisions  of  the  Indian  Toll(Army  and  Air  Force)  Act,  1901  and  rules  made thereunder, as extended to Navy also
- ii. the Central and State armed forces in uniform including para military forces and police
- iii. An executive Magistrate
- iv. The fire-fighting Department or organization
- v. The National Highways Authority of India or any other Government organisation using such vehicle for  inspection,  survey,  construction  or  operation  of  national  highways  and maintenance thereof;
-  used as ambulance
-  used as funeral van
-  specially  designed  and  constructed  for  use  of  a  person  suffering  from  some  physical  defect  or disability.

******