FASTag Rule: Nowadays, almost all vehicles in India are equipped with a FASTag sticker. The introduction of FASTag has eliminated the hassle of waiting in long queues at toll plazas. However, some people are still not following the correct procedure for using FASTag. Many cross the toll by holding the FASTag in their hand instead of affixing it to the vehicle’s windshield. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now set to take strict action against such users.
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What is the New Rule?
According to NHAI’s new rule, any FASTag that is not affixed to the vehicle’s windshield will be immediately blacklisted. Such FASTags are being termed ‘Loose FASTags’. According to NHAI, the use of such FASTags is causing traffic congestion at toll plazas, incorrect chargebacks, and various other problems in the electronic toll collection system.
Why This Step?
There are several reasons behind NHAI’s stringent move:
- Reducing Congestion: Holding a FASTag in hand causes scanning issues, leading to traffic jams at toll plazas.
- Preventing Incorrect Chargebacks: Using such FASTags often results in money being mistakenly deducted from another vehicle’s account, which later has to be charged back.
- System Improvement: In the future, NHAI plans to introduce an Annual Pass System and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. The reliability of the FASTag system is crucial for these systems. Therefore, it is necessary to resolve issues like ‘Loose FASTags’ now.
How to Report?
NHAI has instructed toll collection agencies to report users of ‘Loose FASTags’. A special email ID has been created for this purpose. If a driver at any toll plaza attempts to cross the toll by holding a FASTag, the toll staff can directly report it to NHAI.
What Should You Do?
If you are a FASTag user, be sure to keep a few things in mind:
- Ensure that your FASTag is correctly affixed to your vehicle’s windshield.
- Never try to cross a toll by holding the FASTag in your hand.
- If your FASTag is not working, contact your bank or the FASTag issuing agency immediately.
By following these new rules, you can avoid penalties and the risk of your FASTag being blacklisted. Additionally, it will help make travel through toll plazas smoother and faster.
