Levy of Tolls on Vehicles Entering the Roads in Yercaud Panchayat Union Area in Salem District for Certain Period under the Indian Tolls Act (81 Ex II 2)

What the notification did

The Government of Tamil Nadu, Highways Department, published G.O. (D). No. 52, Highways (HP-1), dated 19 March 2009, as notification No. II(2)/HW/136(c)/2009. Acting under the Indian Tolls Act, 1851, as amended in Tamil Nadu, the Governor of Tamil Nadu imposed vehicle tolls for a limited period.

The tolls applied from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. The notification therefore does not impose an ongoing toll beyond that period.

Roads and people affected

G.O. (D). No. 52 applied to listed classes of motor vehicles passing through the following roads in the Yercaud Panchayat Union area of Salem District:

• Salem to Yercaud Road.
• Kuppanur to Ayothiapattinam to Yercaud Road.

The notification concerned vehicle tolls. It did not deal with land ownership, property registration, planning permission or changes in land use. Its practical effect was on motorists using the specified roads during the stated period.

Toll rates

The toll collected per vehicle was:

• Buses, lorries and trucks, Rs. 50.
• Mini lorries and tempos, Rs. 40.
• Maxi cabs, Rs. 40.
• Light motor vehicles and tourist taxis, Rs. 15.
• Cars and jeeps, Rs. 15.
• Three-wheeler vehicles, Rs. 5.
• Two-wheeler vehicles, Rs. 5.

Exempt vehicles

G.O. (D). No. 52 excluded the following vehicles from the toll levy:

• Motor vehicles owned by Yercaud residents, except vehicles used for commercial purposes.
• Official vehicles of the Yercaud Panchayat Union.
• Official vehicles of the State Government and Central Government.
• Official vehicles of government undertakings.

A Yercaud resident's vehicle was therefore not automatically exempt if it was used commercially. The notification did not provide a separate exemption for other private vehicle owners or visitors using the listed roads.