The Government of India entity NHAI, has recently released a new guideline. Under this new guideline, if vehicles with non-affixed fast on front windshield enter the toll lane, then a double fine will be levied.
The Ministry of Road Transport & highways (MoRTH) has recently issued a standard operating procedure for all toll-collecting agencies. As per new rules, those breaching the guidelines will face twice the toll fees. It may even be blacklisted.
Why NHAI Is Enforcing These Rules?
As per NHAI, these purposeful non-affixation of FASTag found on transport windshields, have resulted in unwarranted delays at Toll Plaza. As a result, it caused become inconvenient for travellers.
By charging double fee for Fastag non-affixation, it will likely make toll operation smoother and more seamless for highway travellers.
Moreover, to ensure the proper implementation of the guideline, NHAI also plans to establish CCTV cameras at toll plazas. So that, they can get the footage of vehicle Registration Number (VRN) of non-affixed fastags.
In this way, it will help the establishment in keeping accurate & proper records of the charged fee and vehicle’s presence in the toll lane.
In addition, NHAI also declared, that if FASTags are not affixed as per standard procedure, then the transaction of electronic toll collection will not be allowed at toll plazas.
Meanwhile since February 2021, the fastag has become a necessary mode of transactions for paying toll fees in national highways.
Now under the rules, NHAI aims to implement the correct affixation of FASTag on transport’s front windshield from the interior.
Earlier in June NHAI found, that despite the presence of fastag system, a long and a huge line were frequent throughout the country.
In order to deal with this issue, the toll plazas were asked to utilize only that equipment, which were authorized by ministry of electronics and information technology. Hence, leading to installation of good-quality hardware at toll plazas.
As for the issuance, the issuer banks have been asked to make sure that Fastags are accurately & properly affixed to transport’s front windshield during time of issuance from several points of sale.
When Will New Guidelines be Available?
According to NHAI, these guidelines will be shown at all user fee plazas. Thus, informing the travellers about punishment, that will be issued for violating the rule of entering toll lane with no fixed fastag on front windshield.