On July 18th 2024, The new guidelines to collect double user fees from highway users who deliberately do not affix FASTag on their vehicle’s windscreen has been issued by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This measure aims to reduce avoidable delays at toll plazas and improve the overall benefit for all highway users.
The guidelines include key points which are:
1.Double Fee for Non-Affixed FASTag: Vehicles passing into toll lanes without a FASTag attached on the front windshield will be charged double the usual toll fee.
2.Display of Information: Details about the penalties for non-compliance will be particularly displayed at all toll plazas.
3.CCTV Monitoring: CCTV clip will be recorded at toll plazas to catch the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) of vehicles without attached FASTags. This will help out maintaining proper records of the fees charged and the presence of the vehicle in the toll lane.
4.Enforcement of Guidelines: Standard procedural guidelines will be enforced to ensure that FASTags are attached on the front windshield of the allocated vehicle from the inside.
5.Blacklisting: Vehicles with incorrectly attached FASTags will not be able to use Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and will be essential to pay double toll fees. These vehicles can also be blacklisted.
6.Issuer Banks’ Role: Issuer banks are handled to make sure that FASTags are fixed to the allocated vehicle’s front windshield at the time of issuing from various Points-of-Sale (POS).
NHAI’s drive is part of its attempt to smooth toll operations, making them more efficient and ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey for around 8 crore FASTag users over the country. FASTag has importantly changed the Electronic Toll Collection system in India, With a penetration rate of about 98%.
