Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 20: From December 1, the owners of vehicles that are not fitted with Fastag (Electronic Toll Collection) will be charged double toll fee if they use Fastag lanes at Toll Plazas along National Highways.
Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has made Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) mandatory for all vehicles from December 1. However, one lane (extreme left) at every Toll Plaza will continue to accept cash. ETC was designed to ensure non-stop movement of vehicles at all Toll Plaza, cashless payment and reduction of traffic congestion.
NHAI RO J&K Hem Raj said that the rule would be strictly implemented. Even dignitaries such as Judges, CMs and Cabinet Ministers who are exempt from paying toll have to get zero balance Fastag.
“We introduce Fastag program has implemented in 3 Toll Plazas to identify the shortcomings and way to address them well before the end of this month” he said.
They witness vehicles piling up in cash collection lanes and disturbing free flow of traffic. NHAI has equipped all lanes of Ban Toll Plaza, Manda and Nashri Toll Plaza and Thandi Khui Toll Plaza with the radio frequency identification based Fastag.
Regional Officer J&K further stated a total of 8 POS has been established to help vehicle owners to switch to Fastag. Currently, due to internet restrictions issue POS has only been established at Toll Plazas and in NHAI office. More and More POS has been established at prominent places for the road commuters after internet restrictions being lifted in J&K.
“Besides, vehicle owners can get Fastag online or approach nationalized/private banks to get the tag. They need to submit RC of the vehicle, driving license, of the vehicle owner and get it done by paying Rs. 500 (Rs 250 refundable while Rs 100 is for the tag and Rs 150 for service charge). However, to ease the facility NHAI has also established their Fastag which can be purchased by paying Rs 100 against cost of tag. The vehicle owner will get an SMS about the amount deducted every time his vehicle passed through ETC equipped lanes”, NHAI RO informed.
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