Govt Makes FASTag Mandatory For Availing All Discounts At Toll Plazas On National Highways

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made the use of FASTag mandatory for availing return journey discount or any other exemptions on toll fee plazas, said an official statement on Wednesday (26 August).

The users who wish to claim a discount for making return journey within 24 hours or any other local exemptions, shall be required to have a valid functional FASTag on the vehicle, the statement said.

The ministry has notified a Gazette notification to amend the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 to mandate FASTag for availing discount on toll plazas at National Higways.

The ministry in the statement said that the move is aimed at promoting the use of digital payments on fee Plazas of National Highways.

"The fee payable towards such discounts shall be paid through pre-paid instruments, smart card or through FASTag or on board unit (transponder) or any other such device only," the ministry said.

"For discount on return journey within 24 hours, it would be through FASTag or such other device and automatic and no requirement for a pass. For discounts on all other cases, having a valid FASTag is made necessary," it said.

The amendment would also enable that in cases where there is a discount available for a return journey within 24 hours, there is no need for a prior receipt or intimation and the citizen would get the discount automatically if return journey is made within 24 hours with a valid and a functional FASTag on the vehicle.