To prevent traffic jams at toll plazas and for easy flow on highways, the FASTag system was initiated in 2019. The use of FASTag was made compulsory on all national highways in the nation from 1 December 2019.
On the other hand, the use of FASTag has been made compulsory on all toll plazas in the state from 1 April 2025. The government has amended certain rules to make the FASTag system extremely fast and simple. Today, FASTag shall be compulsory at all toll booths in Maharashtra.
You will have to pay double the amount of toll
From today, it will be compulsory to pay via FASTag at all the toll plazas operated by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Vehicle owners without FASTag or unable to pay the toll via FASTag will need to pay twice the toll in cash today
This was a choice made by the government earlier to simplify the process at the toll plaza and make it more efficient and prevent the time consumed at the toll plaza and the confusion of FASTags.
Green Signal from the Court
The mandatory requirement of FASTag was challenged in the Bombay High Court. The High Court had last month rejected the PIL questioning the FASTag mandatory requirement decision, remarking that it did not see any reason to interfere with the policy decision of the state government.
The journey of FASTag policy
The state's electronic payment system for toll plazas was introduced in 2008. The system was introduced in 2014 to update the transport sector and decrease pollution and congestion.
In the meantime, the government made electronic payment compulsory for all vehicles at toll plazas, and by 2021, the central government, in partnership with NHA, transformed all lanes for cash payment into FASTag lanes. Furthermore, a double toll policy was introduced for non-Fastag users.
Conclusion
The use of FASTag has greatly enhanced toll collection efficiency, easing congestion, and facilitating the free flow of traffic on highways. With the current regulations in place, FASTag is now compulsorily available at all the toll plazas in Maharashtra from April 1, 2025. Owners of vehicles without FASTag will be charged double the cash toll fee. The implementation of this attempt is to advance the convenience in traveling, avoid delays, and facilitate smooth toll payments. Being that legal attacks have been rendered null and void, drivers must adhere to new rules to circumvent fines as well as render the transportation environment smoother.
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