To reduce VIP culture, the government is considering removing the large hoardings placed before NH toll plazas. These hoardings typically list details of dignitaries and individuals whose vehicles are exempt from paying toll fees. This proposal, discussed at a recent secretary-level meeting chaired by the cabinet secretary, may become a priority action for the new government.

To implement this change, the government would need to amend the NH Fee Rules. Sources argue that these hoardings serve little purpose and are a waste of public funds, especially since exempted vehicles are now equipped with "exempted" FASTags for toll plaza transactions. Moreover, few people actually pay attention to the lists displayed on toll gate hoardings.

Under the current rule, highway authorities must prominently display, in Hindi and English, a list of 22 dignitaries and their accompanying vehicles exempted from toll payment 1 km ahead of a toll plaza, and in English and the local language 500 meters ahead of a toll plaza. The list also includes official vehicles of five agencies, such as the defence ministry, state armed and police forces, NHAI, and fire-fighting vehicles. Ambulances are also exempted.

There have been instances where officers and VIPs using private vehicles have requested exemptions, leading to disputes with toll operators and traffic congestion. NHAI is exploring the possibility of dedicating one lane for exempted-category vehicles.

Prithvi Singh Kandhal, an associate director emeritus at the US National Center for Asphalt Technology and a resident of Jaipur, had raised concerns about the wasteful expenditure to NHAI, the highway ministry, and the PMO in 2017. He believes that the government should have curtailed such expenses earlier.