The government of India in a statement has notified that the automatic toll plaza payment system, i.e. FASTag, will become compulsory from today across the country. Those who do not install FASTag or have one that does not work will have to pay twice the toll for the category of the vehicle they are driving.
The government added that from now on, all lanes at toll plazas across India will be able to scan FASTags.
“Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided that all lanes in the fee plazas on National Highways shall be declared as FASTag lane of the fee plaza w.e.f midnight of 15th/16th February 2021.Therefore, as per NH Fee Rules 2008, any vehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional FASTag entering into the FASTag lane of the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category,” the government’s Press Information Bureau said in a statement today.
The government is excited about the complete roll-out of FASTag as it promotes fee payment through digital mode, helps cut jams at toll plazas, reduces waiting time and increases fuel efficiency.
The Ministry in the order added that the FASTag will be extremely compulsory for the “M and N” category vehicle. “M” category vehicles are vehicles with four wheels and more and are used for carrying passengers. And category “N” stands for a vehicle with four wheels used for carrying goods as well as passengers.
Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari, tuning in with the order said that the deadline to get FASTag will no more be extended.
The FASTag was introduced back in 2016. Since then, FASTag registration has gone up to 90% on some routes and only 10% of people are left.
