No FASTag on windshield? Defaulters at toll plazas will now have to pay...

To prevent delays at toll plazas, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will now charge double the toll fees for vehicles without FASTag. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced this new measure recently.

According to the ministry, some drivers deliberately avoid fixing FASTag on their windshields, causing unnecessary delays and inconvenience to other highway users. In response, detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to toll collection agencies. These SOPs require charging double toll fees for vehicles that enter toll lanes without FASTag on their front windshields.

Signs at all toll plazas will inform drivers about the penalties for not using FASTag. Additionally, CCTV cameras will record the vehicle registration numbers of offenders, keeping a proper record of fees charged and vehicles present in the toll lanes.

The ministry emphasised that FASTag must be properly affixed to the front windshield from the inside of the vehicle. Without proper placement, vehicles are not eligible for electronic toll collection (ETC) and must pay double the toll fees. Such vehicles may also be blacklisted, according to the reports.

Issuer banks are directed to ensure that FASTag is fixed to the vehicle at the time of issuance at various Point-of-Sale (POS) locations.