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Rajasthan Clarifies: No Toll Exemption for Light Vehicles, Only Local Passes

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari informed the Rajasthan Assembly that there is no proposal to grant a blanket toll exemption for light motor vehicles in the state. She clarified that a concessional monthly pass system exists for residents living within a 20-km radius of state toll plazas. The current policy marks a reversal from a 2018 exemption for private vehicles, which was withdrawn in 2019. She emphasized that toll revenue is crucial for maintaining and upgrading road infrastructure.

Key Points: Rajasthan No LMV Toll Exemption, Says Dy CM Diya Kumari

  • No state-wide LMV toll exemption
  • Concessional monthly passes for locals
  • Toll collected on 83 state & national roads
  • Policy reversed from 2018 exemption
2 min read

No proposal under consideration to exempt LMVs from toll payments in Rajasthan, says Dy CM Diya Kumari

Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari states no proposal to exempt light motor vehicles from tolls, details local concessional pass system for residents.

"there is currently no proposal under consideration to exempt light motor vehicles (LMVs) from toll payments - Diya Kumari"

Jaipur, Feb 13

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister, Diya Kumari, told the state Assembly that residents living within a 20-km radius of the state-controlled toll plazas are eligible for concessional monthly toll passes.

She clarified on Thursday that there is currently no proposal under consideration to exempt light motor vehicles (LMVs) from toll payments across the state.

Responding to supplementary questions raised by MLA Vikram Bansiwal during the Question Hour, Deputy CM Diya Kumari said that toll collection is being carried out on 83 state roads, in addition to national highways.

"Of these, 27 toll roads are managed by the Rajasthan State Highway Authority, 39 by the Rajasthan State Road Development Corporation (RSRDC), 13 by the Rajasthan Infrastructure Development Corporation (RIDC), and four by the Public Works Department (PWD)."

She said that the monthly pass system has been introduced to provide relief to local commuters, who frequently travel through toll plazas for daily work, education, and other essential purposes.

The concessional passes are aimed at reducing the financial burden on residents living near toll corridors, she added.

Earlier, in a written reply to the state Assembly, the Deputy Chief Minister said that a state government notification issued on May 14, 2018, had exempted private non-transport vehicles from toll charges on state highways.

However, this exemption was withdrawn on October 31, 2019, following a policy decision by the state government at that time.

During the previous Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government, private light vehicles were made toll-free on state highways, but the decision was later reversed by the subsequent Ashok Gehlot government, reinstating toll collection on these vehicles.

Diya Kumari reiterated that toll revenue is an important source for maintaining and upgrading road infrastructure, and any policy decisions regarding exemptions are taken after considering financial and administrative implications.

She added that the state government continues to review toll policies to balance infrastructure development needs with public convenience.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So the exemption was given in 2018 and taken back in 2019? Typical. Governments change, policies get reversed, and the common citizen is always stuck paying. We need a stable, long-term policy, not something that changes with each election.
V
Vikram M
I understand tolls are needed for road maintenance, but 83 toll plazas on state roads alone? That feels excessive. Sometimes you pay a toll and the road condition is still poor. There should be more transparency on where this revenue is actually going.
A
Ananya R
The 20-km radius rule is sensible for village and town folks. My relatives in a village near Udaipur have to use the toll road for hospital visits and college. A full exemption might not be feasible, but targeted concessions are the way.
S
Siddharth J
With respect to the Dy CM, saying "no proposal under consideration" feels like shutting the door. Why not have a review? Many states are exploring smart tolling or time-based passes. We should innovate, not just collect.
K
Kavya N
Good roads come at a cost, people! We can't expect world-class infrastructure if we aren't willing to pay a little. The concessional pass is a fair compromise. Let's appreciate that the system is trying to balance development and public burden.

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