Centre to count vehicles plying on national highways

The Union government is planning to start counting the actual number of vehicles plying on all national highways across the country. The government feels that in absence of proper record, toll operators are evading tax collected at toll plazas. The move will also help rationalization of toll rates and upgradation of the highways.

According to a senior official of the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), the ministry is planning to count the actual number of vehicles in order to check tax evasion by toll operators who submit fudged figures of vehicles and collections.

"In absence of proper count of vehicles plying, toll operators often fudge figures and deposit less than the collected amount as toll tax in government exchequer. This count of vehicles, commercial or private, plying on NHs will help the government keep a check on the account books of toll operators," he said.
Last week MoRTH secretary, Vijay Chhibber held a discussion with the ministry official to start counting of vehicles. Sources said all the possibilities were discussed and help of private consultants will be sought for the same. The counting will be done twice in a year.

The meeting also discussed that the counting will not only help in controlling tax evasion but also in rationalizing the rate. "If it is found that the number of vehicles plying is higher than the number disclosed by the toll operators, government may reduce the toll rate or the period of toll collection given to contractors. It is estimated that the toll rate can go down even by 25%," he added.

Besides, the counting will also help in upgradation of highways as per the requirement. "Widening, strengthening and policy for development of highways will be prepared on the basis of volume of vehicles," he said. Earlier, PWD departments of the state governments used to count vehicles plying on the NHs. Since 2006, counting of vehicles using NHs has been stopped.