Politics · India · 6 hrs ago
Pallikonda residents seek toll exemptions for vehicles used in farming
Residents of 12 farming villages are seeking toll exemptions at the Pallikonda plaza on the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway in Tamil Nadu.
Local people say the road helps them reach government hospitals and towns, and that toll charges add to travel costs.
Residents within 20 km can already buy a monthly pass for non-commercial vehicles for ₹360, if their vehicles are registered to a local address.
But farmers say tractors are classed as commercial vehicles and cannot use the pass, even when carrying harvested paddy to government warehouses.
The NHAI says a complete toll waiver is not feasible, though it provides special passes at nominal rates.
Residents argue that exemptions for vehicles involved in farming would reduce costs and support agriculture in the area.
The NHAI has not announced any change to the current arrangements.
Residents in 12 farming villages are seeking toll exemptions for vehicles used in farming at the Pallikonda toll plaza on NH 48.
They say tractors used to transport harvested paddy to government godowns are classified as commercial vehicles and cannot use the existing local pass.
Residents say a toll waiver would reduce travel costs and support agriculture in the area.
The National Highways Authority of India says complete toll waivers for residents are not feasible, but offers monthly special passes for some non-commercial vehicles.
The pass costs ₹360 a month and is available to residents within 20 km of the plaza whose vehicles have a local permanent address.
- Who
- Residents of 12 farming villages near Pallikonda, including local farmers, are seeking exemptions. The National Highways Authority of India says a complete waiver is not feasible.
- What
- Residents want toll exemptions for vehicles used in farming, including tractors transporting paddy.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- Pallikonda toll plaza on the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway (NH 48), Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Residents say toll charges raise travel costs and that tractors used to transport harvested paddy are classified as commercial vehicles and cannot use the local pass.
Residents of 12 farming villages
National Highways Authority of India
Toll exemption
Residents of 12 farming villages
Residents want exemptions for vehicles involved in farming, including tractors transporting paddy.
National Highways Authority of India
The authority says a complete toll waiver for residents is not feasible.
Local access
Residents of 12 farming villages
Residents say a waiver would reduce travel costs and support agriculture.
National Highways Authority of India
The authority provides monthly special passes for non-commercial vehicles to eligible residents.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Villages seeking exemption
- 12 farming villages
- Local pass fee
- ₹360 per month
- Pass eligibility radius
- 20 km from Pallikonda toll plaza
- Highway
- NH 48, Chennai–Bengaluru Highway
- Daily traffic
- More than 75,000 vehicles use the stretch
What people are saying
Exemption of toll should be given to locals, who are mostly marginal farmers and petty traders
Special passes at nominal rates have been provided to residents in surrounding villages. Complete waiver of toll fee for residents is not feasible
The toll plaza should exempt vehicles that form part of farming activity