For the first time in the country, the system of deducting challan is going to be implemented even if there is no FASTag recharge. Till now, there is a system of deducting challan only for violation of traffic rules.
Now toll blocks are to be removed across the country and toll collection has to be done from the moving vehicle itself. In such a situation, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road and Transport Highways are going to make separate rules to take action on non-fastag recharge, the draft of which has been prepared. It is likely to be implemented after the approval of the cabinet.
Under the new system, if a vehicle leaves without FASTag or without paying any fee, then action will be taken on it from fine to challan. There will also be a system of blacklisting FASTag and RC (Registration). It will first be implemented on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway after getting approval from the ministry. After that, it can be implemented on other national highways and expressways of the country.
Entry and exit points have been made at many places on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway from Sarai Kale Khan to Dasna. Barring Dasna, there is no toll booth anywhere else. Here it is not possible to stop the moving train for toll collection. In other parts of the country also such expressways and national highways are being prepared, keeping in mind the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) is being implemented. In this, high quality Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras for night vision have been installed on the expressway. With their help, the number plate of the moving vehicle and the bar code of FASTag can be easily scanned. After this, after passing the train, the toll will be deducted according to the distance from the existing balance in FASTag through the advance system.
Therefore, the step is being taken,
NHAI believes that only the implementation of the system will not help, because there will be many people who would like to pass without fastag recharge or will not take fastag on their vehicle number. If action is not taken against such people, then the plan to collect toll from the moving vehicle cannot be successful.
Ministry AgreedÂ
A few months ago, the NHAI team had informed the Ministry about the practical difficulties being faced by the toll collection from the moving vehicle. The authority had said that the ITMS would work in its place but there would be more people who would like to pass without paying toll. There should be some arrangement to take action against them. On the authority’s side, the ministry had asked to make a separate guideline for action on non-recharge of FASTag. It is being told that the draft related to the guidelines is ready, soon the ministry can implement them by taking approval through the cabinet or can also ask for a partial reshuffle.
An NHAI official said that only after the new guidelines are issued, distance-wise toll collection will be done on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, which is awaited. Information has been received from the ministry that the draft regarding the new rules is almost ready. Now after being presented before the special session committee, approval is yet to be received. It should be noted that last year, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had also given a statement regarding the removal of toll booths, after which the exercise is going on to make new rules to implement the advance system. This is seen as part of it.
Suggested Points
- If FASTag is installed but recharge is not there, then you will be able to pay toll charges without penalty in a week.
- If FASTag is not taken on the vehicle, then in the first time double the fine and one week’s time will be given to pay the fee.
- Double penalty after a week and 30 to 45 days to pay. After that four times fine and FASTag blacklisted.
- Fastag and RC blacklist for non-payment of toll fee including fine within three months.
- Case transferred to the Transport Department of the concerned district.
- If the RC is blacklisted, then the fine will have to be paid in the court.
NHAI will make the system
- To implement the new system, the message alert system will be strengthened.
- If the vehicle passes without paying any fee, a message will be sent to the vehicle owner’s mobile number and e-mail on behalf of NHAI and FASTag company.
- Reminders will be sent by the FASTag company, a copy of which will automatically go to the system of NHAI and Transport Department.
- Video footage of 30 to 50 seconds of the vehicle passing through the highway and expressway will be kept safe by NHAI without paying any fee.
