Don’t have FASTag in your vehicle? Pay double toll tax at National Highways from Feb 16

If you don’t have FASTag in your vehicle, be ready to pay double toll tax at all National Highways across the country from February 16.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued a press statement in this regard and informed its decision to convert all fee plaza lanes as FASTag lanes from the midnight of 15th February.

“As per NH Fee Rules 2008, any vehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional FASTagentering into the FASTag lane of the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category,” the press statement said.

The Ministry introduced this technology in October 2017 with the purpose to promote the payment of toll tax through digital means and reduce the waiting time at the toll plaza.

To give time to vehicle owners to get FASTag, the Ministry had permitted cash payment along with a digital mode of payment. Now, it has decided to charge a penalty for those who haven’t done that till now.

It is a Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) which helps the seamless flow of traffic at toll plazas.

Vehicle not only used to waste a lot of fuels earlier while waiting in the queue at the toll plazas but it also had an adverse impact on the environment.

The release said, “The Ministry had mandated fitment of FASTag in M&N categories of motor vehicles with effect from 1st January 2021.”

“Category ‘M’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. And Category ‘N’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry persons in addition to goods,” it added.