Published 19:35 IST, September 29th 2024
NHAI’s New Toll Payment System: How Faulty FASTags Will Impact Vehicle Owners’ Registrations
NHAI plans to track unpaid tolls via the Vahan system, restricting vehicle transactions for owners with faulty or blacklisted FASTags.
New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to implement stricter measures to ensure that vehicle owners pay toll charges. This initiative aims to address issues related to faulty or blacklisted FASTags, making it increasingly difficult for users to evade toll payments.
Enhanced Tracking of Unpaid Toll Charges
To recover unpaid toll fees from vehicles lacking valid FASTags, the NHAI has requested the road transport ministry to amend the Vahan system. This system serves as a repository for registered vehicles and will now reflect unpaid toll charges similarly to traffic challans.
Key Features of the Proposal:
- Unpaid User Fee Section: A new section titled “unpaid user fee due” will be added to the Vahan portal, displaying the due amount and a photograph of the vehicle for verification.
- Restrictions on Vehicle Transactions: Vehicle owners with unpaid dues will face restrictions on transferring registration, obtaining No Objection Certificates (NoC), and receiving fitness certificates until the dues are cleared.
- Notice and Objection Period: Vehicle owners will receive a notice of unpaid dues, with a seven-day period to either settle the payment or raise objections.
Transition to Free-Flow Tolling System
The NHAI is transitioning towards a free-flow tolling system in select areas, which will eventually lead to the full implementation of a satellite-based tolling system. This new system allows vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping, utilizing cameras, sensors, and number plate recognition technology to automatically charge toll fees.
Future Plans
Once a vehicle with a faulty or blacklisted FASTag passes through a free-flow toll plaza, the control room will generate a notice and upload it to the Vahan portal. The NHAI is also considering linking unpaid toll dues to insurance renewals, ensuring comprehensive compliance with toll payment regulations.
With these measures in place, the NHAI aims to streamline toll collection and reduce instances of non-payment, enhancing the efficiency of highway usage across the country.
Updated 19:35 IST, September 29th 2024