NPRD urges toll exemption for disabled people under all categories

“Currently the user fee at toll booths is waived, as per the National Highways rule, for the mechanical vehicle specially designed and constructed for use of a person suffering from physical disability,” NPRD general secretary Muralidharan wrote in a letter to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).

He noted that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 recognises 21 types of disabilities and categorises them into five categories – physical disability, intellectual disability, mental behaviour, disability caused due to chronic neurological conditions and blood disorder and multiple disabilities. However, the NH rules has restricted the exemption to only those with physical disability and those with other disabilities feel aggrieved and a perceived sense of discrimination, he said.

“In ‘physical disability’ category also, exemption is granted only for a vehicle specially designed for use of a person suffering from physical disability,” Muralidharan said, pointing out that the rules states that “specially designed and constructed for use” emphasising the vehicle rather than the occupant who is disabled.

“The term is also often construed to imply a vehicle driven by a disabled person. This misinterpretation on many occasions lead to undesirable conflicts at toll booths, even while there may by a disabled occupant travelling in the vehicle,” he said, adding that the many disabled persons purchase private vehicles out of compulsion owing to an inaccessible and unfriendly public transport system.