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 war heroes in the country. The ex-Para SF commando, who suffered injuries during an operation and was left disabled, was traveling through the Sasthan toll plaza in Udupi, Karnataka, when he was asked to pay the toll.
According to the war hero, he was not asked to pay toll at any of the previous plazas he had crossed, and was surprised when he was asked to pay at the Sasthan toll plaza. He showed the toll attendant his documents, which included his disability certificate and identification proof, but was still asked to pay the toll. The war hero was understandably upset and frustrated by the incident, and felt that his sacrifices for the country were not being recognized or respected.
The incident has sparked a debate about the treatment of war heroes in the country, and the need for greater recognition and respect for their sacrifices. Many have taken to social media to express their outrage and disappointment at the incident, and to demand that the government take action to ensure that war heroes are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
In response to the incident, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a statement clarifying its policy on toll fee exemption for war heroes. According to NHAI, “Toll fee exemption applies only to serving Army personnel on official duty.” This statement has sparked further controversy, with many arguing that the policy is unfair and does not take into account the sacrifices made by war heroes who are no longer serving.
The NHAI’s statement has also raised questions about the interpretation of the policy, and how it is being implemented on the ground. If the policy only applies to serving Army personnel on official duty, then why was the war hero asked to pay toll at the Sasthan toll plaza, despite showing his documents? Was the toll attendant not aware of the policy, or was there some other reason for the incident?
The incident has also highlighted the need for greater awareness and understanding of the policies and procedures in place for war heroes. If the NHAI’s policy is not being implemented consistently, then it is likely that other war heroes have also faced similar problems in the past. This lack of awareness and understanding can lead to frustration and disappointment among war heroes, and can undermine the recognition and respect they deserve for their sacrifices.
In order to address these issues, the government needs to take action to ensure that war heroes are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. This includes providing clear guidance and training to toll attendants and other officials on the policies and procedures in place for war heroes, as well as ensuring that the policies are implemented consistently and fairly.
The government also needs to consider revising its policy on toll fee exemption for war heroes, to take into account the sacrifices made by those who are no longer serving. This could include providing exemption to all war heroes, regardless of whether they are serving or not, or providing alternative forms of support and recognition.
In conclusion, the incident of the disabled war hero being asked to pay toll despite showing documents is a shocking and disturbing one, and highlights the need for greater recognition and respect for war heroes in the country. The NHAI’s response to the incident has sparked further controversy, and has raised questions about the interpretation and implementation of the policy. The government needs to take action to address these issues, and to ensure that war heroes are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Source: https://x.com/NHAIROBengaluru/status/2015805264314986909
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