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New Rule: Vehicles Without FASTag To Pay Double At Tolls
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced that vehicles without a FASTag on their windshields will be charged double the toll fee. This measure aims to prevent delays at toll plazas caused by vehicles without FASTags, ensuring smoother travel for all highway users.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
To enforce this rule, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to all User Fee Collection Agencies and Concessionaires. These SOPs mandate charging double the user fee for vehicles entering toll lanes without a FASTag affixed to the front windshield.
The ministry stated, "Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to all User Fee Collection Agencies and Concessionaires to charge double user fee in case of non-affixation of FASTag on the front windshield." This information will be prominently displayed at all toll plazas to inform travellers about the penalties for non-compliance.
Implementation and Monitoring
CCTV footage capturing vehicle registration numbers will be recorded at toll plazas for vehicles without FASTags. This will help maintain proper records regarding fees charged and vehicle presence in toll lanes. The ministry explained that this initiative would streamline toll operations and ensure seamless journeys for highway users.
The NHAI collects user fees on national highways according to the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. Currently, fees are collected for approximately 45,000 km of national highways and expressways at around 1,000 toll plazas across India.
FASTag Penetration and Benefits
FASTag has significantly improved electronic toll collection in India, with a penetration rate of around 98 per cent and over eight crore users. Officials believe that charging double fees for non-affixation will enhance toll operations' efficiency and ensure more comfortable journeys for highway users.
The ministry also noted that any FASTag not affixed as per standard procedures is not entitled to electronic toll collection transactions. Such vehicles will have to pay double the toll fee and may be blacklisted. Issuer banks have been directed to ensure that FASTags are fixed on assigned vehicles' front windshields at the time of issuance from various Point-of-Sale (POS).
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist covering the Election Commission, Indian Railways, and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has extensive experience in these areas.
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