FASTag to become mandatory, no cash payments on NH from today
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New Delhi, February 15: In the major development, the Road, Transport and Highways Ministry made electronic toll system - FASTags - mandatory for all vehicles from today itself. With that, all lanes will be dedicated FASTag lanes from 15th Feb 2021.
The ministry also made it clear that any vehicles with non-functional FASTag will be charged double the toll fee applicable under its category on the NH toll plazas from the midnight of February 15-16.
As per NH Fee Rules 2008, any vehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional "FASTag" entering into the 'FASTag lane on the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category," read order by the ministry,
It should be noted that the government earlier extended the deadline for adopting the FASTag from January 1 to February 15. According to the ministries statement, this has been done to further promote fee payment through digital mode, reduce waiting time and fuel consumption, and provide for a seamless passage through the fee plazas.
The Ministry had mandated the fitment of FASTag in M and N categories of motor vehicles with effect from 1st January this year. Category - M stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. While Category - N stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry persons in addition to goods.
What is FASTag?
FASTag is an electronic toll collection mechanism that includes an RFID tag affixed to the windscreen of a vehicle. The rechargeable tag is linked to a prepaid account/e-wallet from which the charges are automatically deducted at toll booths. This negates the need to stop at toll plazas to make the payment, thereby resulting in swifter movement of traffic.
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