
In recent years, road traffic has increased significantly, leading to congestion on major roads and even national highways. One area that has seen improvement in terms of reduced waiting time is toll plazas, thanks to the implementation of FASTag technology.
FASTag is a device developed by the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) that uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to enable cashless payments at toll gates. It allows drivers to make payments within a few seconds without having to stop at the toll booth. This not only ensures seamless traffic flow but also reduces the time wasted in manual toll collection.
As per the FASTag rules implemented in 2021, it is mandatory for car drivers or owners to have a FASTag on their vehicles. Most toll lanes on national highways have been converted into FASTag lanes, making it easier for drivers to make cashless payments and save time. Additionally, frequent travelers have the option to apply online for monthly or regular FASTag passes, eliminating the need to pay at every toll plaza.
FASTag 10-Second Rule
One of the key rules associated with FASTag is the 10-second rule. According to this rule, toll booths should not spend more than 10 seconds per vehicle, even during peak hours. If a driver using FASTag exceeds the 10-second limit for cashless payment, the toll authority is not entitled to charge any toll. In such cases, the driver can proceed without paying any toll tax.
To ensure smooth traffic flow, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has also implemented other rules for FASTag. These include:
- Queues of vehicles at toll plazas should not exceed 100 meters to maintain a steady flow of traffic.
- A yellow line is marked at every toll plaza, 100 meters from the toll booth, to indicate the limit of the queue.
- If the waiting time at a toll plaza exceeds 10 seconds or the queue extends beyond the 100-meter line, no toll can be collected.
It is important to note that these rules have been put in place to minimize waiting time and ensure efficient toll collection. The Indian government is also working on a system where toll collection will be done using the car’s number plate, potentially eliminating the need for the FASTag system in the future.
It would be usefull if posted with link of such circular. So that people can download
Forget timings, people are not following lanes at the toll plaza. Everything looks great on paper!!
Even after 20 mins waiting in que it will charge the fastag account automatically, they need to announce about what is the procedure to complaint and claim the non chargeable amount which is charged,. Then only it will be effective