+
Double Toll for Non-FASTag Vehicles
ECONOMY & POLICY

Double Toll for Non-FASTag Vehicles

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that vehicles without a FASTag affixed to their front windshield will now be charged double the toll fee. This measure aims to promote the use of the electronic toll collection system, which facilitates seamless and cashless transactions at toll plazas across the country.

FASTag, an RFID-based system, allows for automatic toll deduction when vehicles pass through dedicated FASTag lanes, significantly reducing wait times and congestion at toll plazas. However, a considerable number of vehicles still rely on cash payments, leading to delays and inefficiencies. The new directive from NHAI is expected to address these issues by encouraging more vehicle owners to adopt FASTag.

Under the new regulation, vehicles without a properly affixed FASTag on their front windshield will incur double the regular toll charges. This policy is in line with the government's push towards digital payments and improved road infrastructure. By penalizing non-FASTag users, NHAI aims to streamline toll collection, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce traffic bottlenecks.

The implementation of double toll charges for non-FASTag vehicles is anticipated to increase the adoption rate of FASTag among vehicle owners. Since its introduction, FASTag has been instrumental in facilitating faster movement of traffic, lowering fuel consumption, and minimizing air pollution caused by idling engines at toll plazas. The system has also contributed to better revenue management and transparency in toll collection.

Vehicle owners are urged to ensure their FASTags are properly affixed to the front windshield to avoid incurring additional charges. The process of obtaining a FASTag is straightforward, with tags available at various banks, toll plazas, and online platforms. Once activated, the tag is linked to a prepaid account from which the applicable toll amount is deducted automatically.

NHAI has been working diligently to expand the FASTag network and improve the system's efficiency. The authority has installed FASTag readers at all toll plazas across the national highways, and the integration of the system has been largely successful. As a result, the number of vehicles using FASTag for toll payments has been steadily increasing.

Despite these advancements, some challenges remain. Issues such as improper tag placement, low balance in prepaid accounts, and occasional technical glitches have been reported. NHAI is continuously working on addressing these concerns by enhancing the system's reliability and user-friendliness.

The decision to impose double toll charges on non-FASTag vehicles is expected to have a significant impact on road users. While it may initially inconvenience some drivers, the long-term benefits of widespread FASTag adoption are substantial. Reduced traffic congestion, quicker toll transactions, and lower emissions are just a few of the positive outcomes anticipated from this move.

In conclusion, NHAI's directive to charge double toll fees for vehicles without a FASTag affixed to the front windshield is a strategic step towards promoting cashless toll payments and improving road infrastructure efficiency. Vehicle owners are encouraged to adopt FASTag to benefit from seamless toll transactions and avoid additional charges. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of enhancing the country's digital payment ecosystem and ensuring smoother travel experiences on national highways.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that vehicles without a FASTag affixed to their front windshield will now be charged double the toll fee. This measure aims to promote the use of the electronic toll collection system, which facilitates seamless and cashless transactions at toll plazas across the country. FASTag, an RFID-based system, allows for automatic toll deduction when vehicles pass through dedicated FASTag lanes, significantly reducing wait times and congestion at toll plazas. However, a considerable number of vehicles still rely on cash payments, leading to delays and inefficiencies. The new directive from NHAI is expected to address these issues by encouraging more vehicle owners to adopt FASTag. Under the new regulation, vehicles without a properly affixed FASTag on their front windshield will incur double the regular toll charges. This policy is in line with the government's push towards digital payments and improved road infrastructure. By penalizing non-FASTag users, NHAI aims to streamline toll collection, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce traffic bottlenecks. The implementation of double toll charges for non-FASTag vehicles is anticipated to increase the adoption rate of FASTag among vehicle owners. Since its introduction, FASTag has been instrumental in facilitating faster movement of traffic, lowering fuel consumption, and minimizing air pollution caused by idling engines at toll plazas. The system has also contributed to better revenue management and transparency in toll collection. Vehicle owners are urged to ensure their FASTags are properly affixed to the front windshield to avoid incurring additional charges. The process of obtaining a FASTag is straightforward, with tags available at various banks, toll plazas, and online platforms. Once activated, the tag is linked to a prepaid account from which the applicable toll amount is deducted automatically. NHAI has been working diligently to expand the FASTag network and improve the system's efficiency. The authority has installed FASTag readers at all toll plazas across the national highways, and the integration of the system has been largely successful. As a result, the number of vehicles using FASTag for toll payments has been steadily increasing. Despite these advancements, some challenges remain. Issues such as improper tag placement, low balance in prepaid accounts, and occasional technical glitches have been reported. NHAI is continuously working on addressing these concerns by enhancing the system's reliability and user-friendliness. The decision to impose double toll charges on non-FASTag vehicles is expected to have a significant impact on road users. While it may initially inconvenience some drivers, the long-term benefits of widespread FASTag adoption are substantial. Reduced traffic congestion, quicker toll transactions, and lower emissions are just a few of the positive outcomes anticipated from this move. In conclusion, NHAI's directive to charge double toll fees for vehicles without a FASTag affixed to the front windshield is a strategic step towards promoting cashless toll payments and improving road infrastructure efficiency. Vehicle owners are encouraged to adopt FASTag to benefit from seamless toll transactions and avoid additional charges. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of enhancing the country's digital payment ecosystem and ensuring smoother travel experiences on national highways.

Next Story
Real Estate

Westermo Opens India Office, Built in Partnership with Space Matrix

Westermo, a global leader in industrial network solutions, has opened its first office in India. Located at Godrej Centre, Hebbal, Bengaluru, the 10,000 sq ft facility was designed and built in collaboration with multinational workplace consultancy Space Matrix. The office marks a key milestone in Westermo’s Asia expansion strategy and is tailored to support innovation, collaboration, and growth. The design of the new workspace blends Westermo’s global industrial brand language with Indian craftsmanship. Developed alongside Westermo’s Swedish branding team, the design incorporates n..

Next Story
Resources

Artha Global Makes India Debut with Rs 7 billion Private Credit Deal

Artha Global Opportunities Fund, one of the largest Category III AIFs based in GIFT City, has announced its first private credit investment in India with an infusion of Rs 7 billion into Phoenix Triton, a 2.8 million sq ft commercial real estate development in Hyderabad’s financial district. The funding is structured as a four-year non-convertible debenture (NCD) with a variable return model linked to the project’s sales performance. With both floor and cap interest rates, the structure aims to reduce cash flow pressures on the developer while offering investors upside aligned with pr..

Next Story
Building Material

H&H Aluminium Sets Up India’s Largest Solar Frame Plant

H&H Aluminium has announced the commencement of trial production at its new 28,000 sq metre solar panel aluminium frame facility in Rajkot. Built with an investment of around Rs 1.5 billion, the state-of-the-art plant is among the most advanced of its kind in India. Commercial production is expected to begin within a month. At full capacity, the plant will support annual sales of Rs 7-7.5 billion and generate employment for over 300 people. Sharing more details, Uttam Patel, Director, H&H Aluminium, said, “This will be India’s largest and most advanced solar panel al..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?