Pay Double if FASTag is Not Affixed on the Front Windshield

NHAI recently rolled out a new guideline for vehicle owners who will be fined a double penalty for not installing the FASTag on the front windshield. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) released a comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOP) for all authorised toll collection agencies.

According to the new guideline, those found violating the guidelines will be charged double the toll fees and/or can be blacklisted. 

New Guideline’s Purpose  

As per the NHAI’s reports, the deliberate non-affixation of FASTags on vehicles’ front windshields has caused long queues and unnecessary delays at toll plazas. 

Commenting on this new guideline, NHAI, stated, “This initiative of charging double user fees for non-affixation of FASTag will help to make toll operations more efficient and ensure a seamless and comfortable journey for national highway users.”

There are, however, some vehicles that are exempted from paying toll taxes, which include vehicles from Emergency (Fire Brigades, Police, Ambulance), Defence (Army, Navy and Air Force), two-wheelers, state-run public transport, and VIP fleets (Politicians, Foreign Delegates, High Court Judges). 

It is, however, worth noting that some toll plazas charge the two-wheelers for toll tax. 

Know Your Right

As you know, under no circumstances, civilians are exempted from paying toll taxes. According to NHAI guidelines, the toll plazas are required to maintain a queue length of not more than a hundred (100) metres and the service time per vehicle should not go beyond 10 seconds. 

NHAI said, “even then if there is a queue of waiting vehicles of more than 100 metres due to some reason, the vehicles will be allowed to pass without paying toll till the queue comes within 100 meters from the toll booth".

There are yellow markers installed at each toll line so that it could help drivers identify the queue threshold. This measure was taken for better accountability and smooth-flowing traffic. 

So, if you are stuck in an endless toll line then start looking for that yellow marker, which could mean a free pass.