Levy of Tolls on Vehicles Entering the Kodaikanal Municipal Area in Dindigul District for Certain Period under the Indian Tolls Act (160 Ex II 2 v3)

What the notification governs

G.O. (D) No. 136, Highways and Minor Ports (HS1), dated 1 July 2016, was issued by the Highways and Minor Ports Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu under the Indian Tolls Act, 1851. It levied vehicle tolls for three years with effect from 15 June 2016.

The levy covered specified motor vehicles passing through:

• Dindigul-Kodaikanal Road.
• Palani-Kodaikanal Road.
• Cochin-Kodaikanal Road.
• Silver Cascade.
• The location next to Pillar Rocks, between Pillar Rock and Moyar Point in Kodaikanal, Dindigul District.

Who was affected

The toll levy under G.O. (D) No. 136 applied according to the class of motor vehicle using the specified routes and locations. Non-commercial motor vehicles owned by residents of the Kodaikanal Municipal area were exempt.

The notification concerns vehicle tolls. It contains no provision changing land ownership, property boundaries, land classification or development rights.

Toll rates

G.O. (D) No. 136 specified the following rates:

• Tourist bus: 200 rupees.
• Bus: 100 rupees.
• Lorry or heavy vehicle: 80 rupees.
• Maxi cab, including van, mini lorry and tractor: 70 rupees.
• Tourist car or taxi, including Sumo, Qualis and Trax: 50 rupees.
• Car or jeep: 50 rupees.
• Three wheelers and two wheelers: nil.

Practical relevance

The Highways and Minor Ports Department notification was relevant to motorists and commercial vehicle operators travelling into Kodaikanal through the listed roads and collection locations during the stated three-year period. A Kodaikanal resident could rely on the exemption only where the vehicle was non-commercial and owned by a resident of the Kodaikanal Municipal area.

For property buyers or owners, the document does not impose a land charge or alter property records. Its stated purpose is the collection of tolls from specified classes of motor vehicles.