The new rule for making toll payments at plazas on national highways rule will enforce the use of technology and reduce congestion at toll plazas and will esnure efficient toll collection.The central government has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, to incentivise digital payments at user fee plazas on National Highways for Non-FASTag users. The new rule aims to eliminate cash transactions at toll plazas. The notification issued by the government will take effect from November 15 this year.
According to a press release share by the Press Informarion Bureau, the new rule will enforce the using technology for reducing congestion at toll plazas and ensure efficient toll collection.
What are the new changes
Under the new rule, vehicles that enter a toll plaza without a functional or valid FASTag will have to pay twice the applicable user fee, if the transaction is made in cash. Those users who opt for Unified Payment Interface (UPI) will have to pay 1.25 times the applicable fee depending on the category of the vehicle.
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For example, if a vehicle with a valid FASTag pays ₹100 as user fee at a toll plaza, those without a functional FASTag will need to pay ₹200 if they are making the payment via cash. If they use UPI, the amount to be paid will be ₹125.
Impact of the move
The amended rule is expected to expedite the fee collection process on national highways, promote ease of commuting and improve transparency in toll collection. Earlier, both UPI and cash users without a valid FASTag had to pay double the applicable user fee. The change in the rules would lead to faster travel time at toll plazas and shorter queues, as per reports. It would encourage more travellers to opt for FASTags as that remains the cheapest option for toll collection.
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Starting November 15, UPI will be an attractive payment option for non-FASTag users, given that it will be cheaper than paying cash and would incentivise digital payments with the government’s policies to adopt technology.
