Disabled war hero asked to pay toll despite showing documents in K’taka, NHAI responds
In a shocking incident, a disabled war hero, who is an ex-Para SF commando, was asked to pay toll at the Sasthan toll plaza in Udupi, Karnataka, despite showing documents that exempt him from paying toll fees. The incident has sparked outrage and has raised questions about the treatment of war heroes in the country.
The ex-Para SF commando, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that he was traveling from Bengaluru to Udupi when he was stopped at the Sasthan toll plaza. Despite showing his documents, which included his disability certificate and exemption certificate, he was asked to pay the toll fee. The commando, who got disabled after suffering injuries in an operation, said that he was not asked to pay toll at earlier plazas and was surprised when he was asked to pay at the Sasthan toll plaza.
“I was shocked and felt humiliated when I was asked to pay the toll fee despite showing my documents,” the commando said. “I have been exempted from paying toll fees by the government, and I have been traveling across the country without any issues. But at the Sasthan toll plaza, I was treated like a common citizen and was asked to pay the toll fee.”
The commando said that he tried to explain his situation to the toll plaza staff, but they were unmoved. “I showed them my documents, including my disability certificate and exemption certificate, but they refused to listen,” he said. “They told me that they were just following the rules and that I had to pay the toll fee if I wanted to cross the plaza.”
In response to the incident, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that the toll fee exemption applies only to serving Army personnel on official duty. “The toll fee exemption is only for serving Army personnel who are on official duty,” NHAI said. “It does not apply to retired personnel or those who are traveling for personal purposes.”
The NHAI’s response has sparked outrage, with many questioning why the exemption is only limited to serving Army personnel on official duty. “Why should the exemption only apply to serving Army personnel on official duty?” asked a retired Army officer. “War heroes like the ex-Para SF commando have made sacrifices for the country, and they should be treated with respect and dignity. The government should reconsider its policy and extend the exemption to all war heroes, regardless of their status.”
The incident has also raised questions about the treatment of war heroes in the country. “It’s sad to see that war heroes like the ex-Para SF commando are being treated like this,” said a social activist. “The government should take steps to ensure that war heroes are treated with respect and dignity. They should be exempted from paying toll fees and should be given priority treatment at all public places.”
The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with many calling for the government to reconsider its policy on toll fee exemption for war heroes. “It’s time for the government to rethink its policy on toll fee exemption for war heroes,” said a Twitter user. “War heroes like the ex-Para SF commando have made sacrifices for the country, and they should be treated with respect and dignity.”
In conclusion, the incident at the Sasthan toll plaza in Udupi, Karnataka, has sparked outrage and has raised questions about the treatment of war heroes in the country. The NHAI’s response, which limits the toll fee exemption to serving Army personnel on official duty, has been criticized by many. The government should reconsider its policy and extend the exemption to all war heroes, regardless of their status. War heroes like the ex-Para SF commando have made sacrifices for the country, and they should be treated with respect and dignity.
News Source: https://x.com/NHAIROBengaluru/status/2015805264314986909
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