Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 17: In order to further increase the penetration and widespread use of FASTag for toll payments across India, it has been decided by NHAI that all concessions and discounts applicable on toll plaza like return fair discount, local exemption shall be limited to toll payments paid via FASTags only.
Therefore, now, exemption and concessions will only be applicable through FASTag at NHAI Toll Plazas. Commercial vehicle registered within the district are given a discount of 50 per cent in the toll rates but now this concession will be available for payment made through FASTag only. Also there is discount of 50 per cent on return trip for the return journey performed within 24 hours on paying toll for return journey. This discount also will not be available on cash payment. No return journey slips will now be provided. Only the commuters transacting through FASTag will automatically get the 50 per cent discount on return trip in return journey within 24 hours i.e pay only 1.5 times the rate of single trip.
Moreover the monthly passes which are issued to people residing within 20 Km from the Toll Plaza at Rs 265 per month will also be provided only through FASTags. Any exemption to VIPs and dignitaries will also be through FASTag only.
Since January 14, 2020, FASTag has been made mandatory to pay the toll charges at the NH Toll Plazas across the country including those in J&K.
Project Director, NHAI, PIU Jammu Ajay Kumar Rajak informed that sufficient stock of FASTag is available in the UT and large number of FASTags are being sold at Toll Plazas on daily basis and number of vehicles fitted with FASTags has increased multiple times in the last two months in J&K and the transaction through FASTag has become more than 30 per cent in Jammu Region.
“This mode of payment is being launched by the Centre to reduce congestion and delays at the Toll Plazas. Those without FASTags who want to pass through the FASTag lanes will have to pay double the toll charges. The other option is to wait in the cash lane which would take considerably longer time to cross the toll plaza”, he added.
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