The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued new guidelines to collect double user fees from highway users who deliberately do not affix FASTag on their vehicle’s windscreen on July 18th 2024. This measure aims to reduce unnecessary delays at toll plazas and improve the overall convenience for all highway users.
Key points of the guidelines include:
- Double Fee for Non-Affixed FASTag: Vehicles entering toll lanes without a FASTag affixed on the front windshield will be charged double the usual toll fee.
- Display of Information: Information about the penalties for non-compliance will be prominently displayed at all toll plazas.
- CCTV Monitoring: CCTV footage will be recorded at toll plazas to capture the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) of vehicles without affixed FASTags. This will help maintain proper records of the fees charged and the presence of the vehicle in the toll lane.
- Enforcement of Guidelines: Standard procedural guidelines will be enforced to ensure that FASTags are affixed on the front windshield of the assigned vehicle from the inside.
- Blacklisting: Vehicles with improperly affixed FASTags will not be able to use Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and will be required to pay double toll fees. These vehicles can also be blacklisted.
- Issuer Banks’ Role: Issuer banks are directed to ensure that FASTags are fixed to the assigned vehicle’s front windshield at the time of issuance from various Points-of-Sale (POS).
NHAI’s initiative is part of its effort to streamline toll operations, making them more efficient and ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey for the approximately 8 crore FASTag users across the country. With a penetration rate of around 98%, FASTag has significantly transformed the Electronic Toll Collection system in India.
