To expedite the adoption of electronic toll collection, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed to make Fastag mandatory in all four-wheelers effective January 1, 2021.
A senior government official told Taksal that the government would have to amend the Central Motor Vehicle Rules to make the use of FASTAG mandatory for four-wheelers sold before December 1, 2017. It doesn’t fit in the car, ”the official said.
Earlier, the government had made registration of all wheelers sold in India mandatory from December 2017 to enable automatic deduction of toll charges.
The Ministry of Transport also plans to make Fastag mandatory for new third-party vehicle insurance from April 1, 2021. 51 (Certificate of Insurance), in which details of FSTAG ID will be obtained, ”the official said, adding that the ministry has sought comments and suggestions from stakeholders on both the proposals.
The government’s new move will ensure compliance with Vehicle Fastag regulations.
The FASTag is an electronic toll collection device that is fixed to the vehicle’s windshield to enable drivers to zip at toll plazas. Toll payments are deducted directly from the prepaid wallet or associated bank account. The use of FSTG was made mandatory at all National Highway Toll Plazas earlier this year to reduce cash management and curb national highways.
Since then, the government has been trying to encourage the use of e-toll collection and eliminate the use of cash. Last month, it made it mandatory for FASTag to receive a rebate on toll charges, including return trips within 24 hours. It said that the renewal of the fitness certificate would be given only after the festags were affixed on the vehicles. For vehicles with a national permit, the use of the device is mandatory from October 1, 2019.
