Planning to buy a new vehicle in Telangana? Your budget may need a fresh revision. The state transport department has announced an additional Road Safety Cess ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000. The new charge will come into effect from March 1 and must be paid at the time of vehicle registration.
This move comes at a time when vehicle owners are already dealing with increased life tax and other revised charges. As a result, buyers are likely to face a higher overall cost while purchasing new vehicles.
What Is the New Road Safety Cess?
According to the transport department orders, the Road Safety Cess will be collected during registration. The exact amount will depend on the type and category of the vehicle. Officials state that the cess aims to improve road safety infrastructure and reduce accidents across the state.
However, many buyers believe this adds another financial burden. They argue that recent hikes have already stretched their budgets.
Previous Tax Hikes Add to the Burden
The latest decision follows several revisions introduced last year. In August, the government increased the life tax on vehicles. Additionally, authorities imposed higher percentage charges on expensive vehicles.
Moreover, registration fees for older vehicles were raised. Prices for fancy numbers also went up significantly. Because of these consecutive decisions, vehicle owners feel the cumulative impact.
How Much More Will Buyers Pay?
The total burden now depends on the vehicle’s price and category. For instance, buyers of premium vehicles may pay closer to ₹10,000 as Road Safety Cess. Meanwhile, owners of smaller vehicles may pay around ₹2,000.
When combined with earlier tax hikes, the final on-road price could rise noticeably. Therefore, many prospective buyers are reassessing their purchase plans.
Public Reaction and Concerns
Several citizens have expressed concern over the repeated increases. They believe the government should balance revenue needs with affordability. On the other hand, officials maintain that road safety improvements require sustained funding.
With the March 1 deadline approaching, vehicle dealers expect buyers to speed up purchases to avoid the additional cess. Whether this move will significantly impact vehicle sales remains to be seen.
