The High Court (HC) on Monday directed not to collect tolls from Fire Service vehicles on expressways, highways, important bridges, ferries and roads.
The HC bench of Justice Mostofa Zaman Islam and Justice Masud Hossain Dolan passed the order today after hearing a writ filed earlier in this regard.
The High Court also issued a rule asking why charging tolls from Fire Service vehicles should not be declared illegal.
However, this order will not be applicable in the case of the Padma and Jamuna bridges.
Lawyer Mohammad Monir Uddin stood for the writ petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.
Earlier on May 7, lawyer Mohammad Monir Uddin filed the writ petition in public interest following a report published on an online news portal titled "Toll first or life first?"
According to the report, the fire service is a public service provider. In case of any emergency, firefighters rush to the welfare of people by putting their lives at stake.
"But when the fire service vehicle goes to carry out firefighting or rescue operations by crossing bridges and ferries in the country including Dhaka, tolls have to be paid at the toll plaza," it said.
This hampers the rescue operation, causing loss of life and property, read the report.
