Centre makes FASTag mandatory across India; Gadkari says, 'Won't extend deadline'

Central government on Sunday said it has me FASTags mandatory from February 15 midnight and any vehicle t fitted with it will be charged double toll at electronic toll plazas across country. Ministry of Ro Transport and Highways in a statement said it has decided that all lanes in fee plazas on National Highways shall be declared as 'FASTag lane of fee plaza' from midnight of 15th/16th February 2021.

FASTag mandatory from Monday midnight

"refore, as per NH Fee Rules 2008, any vehicle t fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional FASTag entering into FASTag lane of fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of fee applicable to that category," statement said. ministry has clarified that this has been done to furr promote fee payment through digital mode, reduce waiting time and fuel consumption, and provide for a seamless pass through fee plazas.

ministry h mandated fitment of FASTag in M&N categories of motor vehicles with effect from January 1, 2021. Category 'M' stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. And Category 'N' stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry persons in dition to goods.

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'Deline won't be extended': Gkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gkari on Sunday said deline for implementation of FASTag would t be extended furr, and vehicle owners should immediately opt e-payment facility. 

Replying to a query on FASTags at Nagpur airport, Gkari said government h extended FASTag registration date limit two-three times before; and w, it would t be extended furr. "w, everybody should immediately buy FASTag," he said.  " FASTag registration has gone up to 90% on some routes and only 10% of people are left. FASTag is also available on toll nakas and people should purchase and use it for seamless traffic," he said.

FASTags, which facilitate electronic payment of fee at toll plazas, was introduced in 2016. Making tags compulsory would also help in ensuring that vehicles pass seamlessly through toll plazas, as fee payment would be done electronically.

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(With PTI inputs)