FASTag on front Windshield must, Defaulters to pay twice the toll

To deter national highway users from deliberately not fixing FASTag on the windscreens of their vehicles, NHAI has issued guidelines to collect double the user fee from such defaulters entering the toll lanes, the ministry of road transport and highways announced.

The ministry explained that deliberate non-affixation of FASTag on the windscreen leads to unnecessary delays at the toll plazas, causing inconvenience to fellow national highway users.

“Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to all User Fee Collection Agencies and Concessionaires to charge double user fee in case of non-affixation of FASTag on the front windshield,” MoRTH said in a statement.

The information will also be prominently displayed at all user fee plazas, informing highway travellers about the penalties for non-compliance of entering a toll lane without a fixed FASTag on the front windshield.

In addition, CCTV footage with the vehicle registration number (VRN) will be recorded at the fee plaza of the non-affixed FASTag cases. “This will help in maintaining proper record regarding the fee charged and presence of the vehicle in the toll lane,” said the statement.

With a penetration rate of around 98 per cent and over eight crore users, FASTag has revolutionised the electronic toll collection system in the country. Officials say this initiative of charging double the user fee for non-affixation of FASTag will help make toll operations more efficient and ensure seamless and comfortable journeys for national highway users.