VIP lanes at all toll plazas across India
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was on Wednesday directed by the Madras High Court to follow measures for providing a separate lane for VIPs, including sitting judges, at toll plazas across the country. A bench comprising justices Huluvadi G Ramesh and MV Muralidharan posted the matter for four weeks.
"It is disheartening to note that the vehicles of VIPs and sitting Judges are stopped at toll plazas. It is very unfortunate that sitting judges are also compelled to wait in the toll plaza for 10 to 15 minutes," the Madras High Court said.
The interim order directing the NHAI to issue the circular to the toll plazas was passed by the bench. The directive was issued so that vehicles of VIPs and sitting judges can pass through without any hindrance.
The bench further warned that a show cause notice would be issued to the concerned authorities unless a circular was issued. Any violation of the order would be viewed seriously, it added.
The order was passed while the bench was hearing pleas related to toll plazas, including a petition by the L&T Krishnagiri-Wallajapet Tollway Limited.
The petition by the L&T Krishnagiri-Wallajapet Tollway Limited sought a direction to the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited's Villupuram and Salem divisions to pay the user fee.
There would be unnecessary harassment unless a separate lane was formed at every toll plaza for VIPs, the bench said.
