New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that vehicles without a FASTag affixed on their front windshield will now incur double toll charges. This decision comes as NHAI aims to streamline toll collection processes and reduce congestion at toll plazas across National Highways.
The NHAI emphasized that the deliberate non-affixation of FASTag leads to unnecessary delays and inconvenience for highway users. In response, detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to all User Fee Collection Agencies and Concessionaires.
These guidelines mandate the imposition of double user fees for vehicles lacking a properly affixed FASTag.
Currently, user fees are collected across approximately 45,000 kilometers of National Highways and Expressways, spanning around one thousand toll plazas nationwide. The implementation of FASTag has significantly modernized the Electronic Toll Collection system in India, boasting a penetration rate of about 98 percent and serving over eight crore users.
This move by NHAI aims to encourage compliance with FASTag regulations, ensuring smoother traffic flow and enhanced efficiency in toll collection operations nationwide.