Disabled war hero asked to pay toll despite showing documents in K’taka, NHAI responds
In a shocking incident, a disabled war hero was asked to pay toll at a plaza in Karnataka, despite showing documents that exempted him from paying the fee. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the treatment of disabled veterans in the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has responded to the incident, stating that toll fee exemption applies only to serving Army personnel on official duty.
The incident occurred at the Sasthan toll plaza in Udupi, Karnataka, where an ex-Para SF commando, who was disabled after suffering injuries in an operation, was asked to pay toll. The commando, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that he was surprised when he was asked to pay the toll, as he had shown the toll collector his documents that exempted him from paying the fee. He added that he had not been asked to pay toll at earlier plazas, and that this was the first time he had encountered such a problem.
The commando said that he had been traveling from his hometown to visit his family, and had stopped at the Sasthan toll plaza to pay his respects to the toll collector. However, when he showed his documents, the toll collector refused to accept them and asked him to pay the toll. The commando said that he was shocked and disappointed by the incident, and that it had left him feeling humiliated and disrespected.
“I was surprised when the toll collector asked me to pay the toll, despite showing him my documents,” the commando said. “I had not been asked to pay toll at earlier plazas, and I had assumed that my documents would be accepted. But the toll collector refused to accept them, and told me that I had to pay the toll. I felt humiliated and disrespected, and I couldn’t understand why my documents were not being accepted.”
The commando’s documents, which include his disability certificate and his identity card, clearly state that he is exempt from paying toll fees. However, the toll collector at the Sasthan toll plaza refused to accept them, and instead asked him to pay the toll. The commando said that he had tried to explain his situation to the toll collector, but that he had been refused.
In response to the incident, the NHAI has stated that toll fee exemption applies only to serving Army personnel on official duty. “The toll fee exemption is applicable only to serving Army personnel who are on official duty,” an NHAI spokesperson said. “This exemption does not apply to retired or disabled personnel, even if they have served in the Army. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the commando, but our rules are clear, and we cannot make exceptions.”
The NHAI’s response has sparked outrage, with many people taking to social media to express their anger and disappointment. Many have questioned why the NHAI cannot make exceptions for disabled veterans, who have sacrificed their health and well-being in the service of the country. Others have pointed out that the NHAI’s rules are unfair and discriminatory, and that they should be changed to include disabled veterans.
The incident has also raised questions about the treatment of disabled veterans in the country. Many disabled veterans face significant challenges in their daily lives, including difficulty accessing basic services and amenities. The incident at the Sasthan toll plaza has highlighted the need for greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by disabled veterans, and the need for greater support and respect for those who have served the country.
In conclusion, the incident at the Sasthan toll plaza in Karnataka has sparked outrage and raised questions about the treatment of disabled veterans in the country. The NHAI’s response, which states that toll fee exemption applies only to serving Army personnel on official duty, has been widely criticized, and many have called for changes to the rules to include disabled veterans. As the country continues to debate the issue, one thing is clear: disabled veterans deserve our respect, support, and gratitude, and we must do more to ensure that they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Source: https://x.com/NHAIROBengaluru/status/2015805264314986909
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