NEW DELHI: The government is scheduled to extend the deadline for the collection of 100% of tolls in the National Highways (NH) network through FASTag. Previously, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had announced that it would completely end cash transactions for paying tolls as of January 1.
Sources said the extension would be at least a month considering that a large number of commuters using the roads are still paying cash for tolls. Currently, the proportion of FASTag transactions is around 75-78%.
To discourage cash transactions at toll stations, all lanes that exclude one on each side have been made dedicated to “FASTag lanes” and any vehicle entering these lanes without FASTag is required to pay double the normal fare. toll.
The government had been toying with the proposal to eliminate the cash transaction for the past several months after making the installation of a valid FASTag mandatory on all four-wheelers and larger vehicles starting January 1. The government expects this mandatory provision according to the Motor vehicle rule it would push people to opt for the digital way of paying the toll, as the violation would result in a penalty.
“Cash is a legal mode of transaction and no one can be denied to pay in cash. Therefore, the best option would be strict application of the MV rule, which has made the valid FASTag mandatory. There has been a significant increase in the number of travelers using FASTags to pay tolls in recent months, “said an official.
In video: the government can extend the mandatory use of FASTag for the payment of tolls on national highways
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