NHAI sets up over 300 POS counters in UP for e-tolling
As per government order, FASTags will be mandatory only for four-wheelers
LUCKNOW : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set up more than 300 point of sale (POS) counters at all its 78 toll plazas across Uttar Pradesh for vehicles to register and get FASTags that will be mandatory for them from January 1, 2021.
This comes after Union minister for transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, recently announced that National Electronic Toll Collection (FASTags) would be mandatory for all motor vehicles from the New Year to ensure seamless movement through toll plazas as fee payment would be done electronically without any vehicle having to stop.
Regional officer, NHAI, UP,
Abdul Basit claimed that elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure smooth implementation of the scheme for the convenience of commuters.
“We have already set up 300 POS counters in the state to provide FASTags to vehicles and also deployed around 150 marshals, two or three of them at some distance from each toll plaza, to stop vehicles without a FASTag and help them get the tag immediately,” he said. “The tag is prepared in just five minutes,” he added.
He said various banks, Airtel and Paytm would also set up counters on national highways to sell and recharge FASTags that have to be linked to the bank account indicated by the buyer. As per government orders, FASTags will be mandatory only for four-wheelers. Vehicles like tractors, trucks etc, if used for agriculture purpose, will be exempted from the mandatory use of RFID (radio frequency identification) tags.
However, vehicles used by persons coming under the exempted category will have to buy and put up FASTags on the windscreens with the respective departments reimbursing the cost to them. “The NHAI has also launched MY FASTag App wherein one can check FASTag status, including whether it has sufficient balance or not,” said Basit. “We have also ensured instant recharge now,” he added. He also said the recharge amount was not lapsable and could be used anytime.
“Vehicles registered for FASTag will be provided with a sticker to be pasted on the vehicle’s windscreen. The sticker is RFID-enabled and has a barcode that will be scanned via FASTag readers at all toll plazas across the country’s national highways, ” explained Basit.
“The FASTag is basically an Aadhaar of a vehicle,” he added.