Government extends deadline for use of FASTag till February 15

NEW DELHI: The road transport ministry has extended the deadline for 100% collection of toll charges on the National Highway (NH) network through FASTag till February 15. Earlier, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had announced to completely do away with cash transactions for paying toll charges from January 1.

Currently, the share of transactions by FASTag is hovering around 75-80%. In a communication to NHAI, the ministry has said the highways authority can obtain the needed regulatory requirement from it for ensuring 100% cashless fee collection from February 15. In order to discourage cash transactions at toll plazas, all lanes barring one on each side have been made dedicated "FASTag lanes" and any vehicle entering these lanes without FASTag are liable to pay double the normal toll fee.

“Cash is a legal mode of transaction and none can be denied from paying in cash. Hence, the best option would be strict enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Rule, which has made valid FASTag mandatory,” said an official.