Cash Lanes At National Highway Toll Plazas To Remain Operational Till 15 February: Govt

The government on Thursday (31 December) clarified that the cash lanes at the toll plazas on National Highways will remain operational till February 15.

Payments can be made through FASTag as well as cash at the lanes, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said.

In its earlier order, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways had mandated fitment of FASTag with effect from 1 January 2021. It also said that the cash lanes at the toll plazas will be closed.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Thursday, the government said that the cash lane facility at the toll plazas will be extended till 15 February.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that fitment of FASTag in the M and N categories of motor vehicles sold before 1 December 2017, has been made mandatory from 1 January 2021. The M category consists of vehicles that carry at least four wheelers, while the N category stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry persons in addition to goods.

The ministry said that at hybrid lanes of fee plazas on National Highways, fee payment can be made through FASTag as well as in cash mode till 15th February 2021. Moreover, in FASTag lanes of fee plazas, payment of fees will continue to be through FASTag only.

The ministry said, "Payments through FASTag as well as cash till February 15. Hundred per cent e-tolling will be rolled out from January 1."

(With inputs from IANS)