Yogi government wants separate lanes for MPs, MLAs in UP

Lucknow: On one hand the centre is taking off the red beacons from their vehicles, while on the other, the UP government has ordered for separate lanes for MLAs and MPs at toll plazas across the state, including the national highways.

Additional chief secretary Sadakant, on July 15, has written to district magistrates across UP, as per rules notified by the Centre, no road toll would be charged from any MLA or MLC of the UP assembly or MPs from the state, reports BI.

“All district magistrates will ensure that toll plazas under their jurisdiction will provide a separate lane to MPs and MLAs in the event of traffic jams,” the letter said, also saying that authorities of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are expected to cooperate in the matter.

An additional district magistrate on condition of anonymity told TOI, “Legislators and parliamentarians hardly move without four to five vehicles when they go to Lucknow or Delhi if they travel on national and state highways where the toll plazas are erected. Though they are already exempt from paying toll tax, when plaza employees ask the unofficial vehicles accompanying them to pay up, these ‘honourable’ MLAs or MPs and their followers turn rude, sometimes violent. In such cases, the law and order situation is also affected.”