Big Modi govt push for electronic toll collection via FASTags: This new rule set to apply on national highways

In a big push to e-toll collection on highways in the country, the PM Narendra Modi led government has taken a big decision. From December 1, all lanes at National Highways (NH) toll plazas will be made FASTag exclusive lanes. Only one lane will be kept for cash or FASTag transaction. Those entering tag lane without FASTag will end up paying double of the toll amount. In a letter to the Chairman, NHAI by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways today said, "In order to promote the payment through digital mode and to provide for a seamless passage through the fee plazas, it has been decided that all the lanes in the Fee Plazas shall be declared as 'FASTag lane of Fee Plaza' by 1st of December 2019. However, in order to facilitate and monitor the over-dimensional or oversized vehicles, one lane in the Fee Plaza may be kept as a hybrid lane accepting FASTag and other modes of payment as per rules which should be converted into the dedicated FASTag lane in a time-bound manner."

The ministry has noticed that the increase in the users making payment of the toll in the fee plazas on the National Highways through the mechanism of FASTag is not increasing in the manner desired. "This further leads to the payment by cash and further increases the jams at the fee plazas," it said.

To implement the decision, the ministry has asked the NHAI to ensure that the provisions of fee rules be strictly implemented on Fee Plazas of National Highways for promoting fee payment through FASTags.

NHAI has also been asked to ensure the availability of FASTag across the country in the requisite number has to be clearly spelt out and made available for moving towards no cash scenario in the fee plazas.

What is FASTag lane?

The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 under Rule 2(hb) defines 'FASTag lane of fee plaza' as an exclusive lane in the fee plaza for movement of vehicles fitted with 'FASTag' or any such device. Under Rule 6(2) of the said rules, there is a provision that user of the vehicle not fitted with 'FASTag' entering into 'FASTag lane of the fee plazas' shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category of vehicle.