The method of paying at the toll booth has changed! Learn the new rules

Toll Plaza Rules Changed | The Ministry of Transport has announced an important decision for motorists across the country. According to this decision, cash toll payment will be completely stopped at all toll booths in the country from April 10. Instead, the FASTag system has now been made mandatory for toll payment

Till now, many motorists were paying toll by paying cash at the toll booths. However, due to this process, there was a huge traffic jam at the toll plazas. There used to be long queues of vehicles, wasting passengers’ time and often leading to arguments. This decision has been taken as a solution to all these problems. Toll Plaza Rules Changed

Now onwards, FASTag system has been made mandatory for toll payment. FASTag enables toll collection without stopping the vehicle, making travel faster and smoother.

For motorists who do not have FASTag available, the government has provided an option to pay through UPI. However, if they use this option, they will have to pay 1.25 times more than the normal toll charges. That is, not using FASTag can be financially costly. Besides, if a motorist neither uses FASTag nor pays through UPI, he will be prosecuted under the National Highway Toll Rules. In such cases the vehicle may be denied access to the highway or may be towed away.

An e-notice for overdue toll can also be sent by the highway authority. If this amount is not paid within three days, the concerned vehicle owner will be charged double. Toll Plaza Rules Changed

New rules have also been implemented for vehicles falling under the concession category. Earlier, many people used to show identity cards to avoid tolls, which often led to disputes. Now this method will be stopped and Exempted FASTag or annual FASTag pass is required for such vehicles.

An annual FASTag pass, available for private vehicles, is priced at Rs 3,075 and offers 200 toll plaza passes. It is hoped that this decision of the government will reduce congestion at toll plazas, stop disputes and make travel faster and more transparent. Also, this is being considered as an important step for implementation of multi-lane free flow or signal-free tolling system in future.