In a perplexing turn of events, several FASTag users have reported unauthorized toll deductions, raising concerns about potential misuse of the electronic toll collection system. Jenil Jain, a software developer, was shocked to receive an alert on his phone indicating a Rs 60 toll charge on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Highway while he was comfortably at home along Haralur-Sarjapur Road, approximately 50 km away. Similar incidents have been reported by others, highlighting a glitch that seems to be affecting users on the Navayuga Bengalooru tollway.
Jenil's FASTag account, linked to Paytm Bank, prompted him to raise a complaint and eventually secure a refund, but the process took an entire month. Allen James, who encountered a Rs 30 deduction under similar circumstances, chose not to pursue a complaint with HDFC Bank, as the amount seemed too trivial to warrant the effort involved in seeking a refund.
Rakhi Anil, another resident, refrained from seeking a refund when her husband's FASTag account was allegedly targeted. Reports of wrong FASTag deductions have surfaced on Reddit, with users sharing their experiences. Some cited toll booth operators manually entering registration numbers, potentially mistyping and leading to erroneous charges.
The Navayuga Bengalooru tollway toll in-charge, Ajay Singh, acknowledged the rare aberrations, attributing them to "software issues" or inaccuracies in the vehicle number reading by the scanner. Singh assured users that new software installations were underway to address the problem, urging affected individuals to report their grievances to Navayuga's helpline at 93533 77195.
K.B. Jayakumar, the project director of the National Highways Authority of India in Bengaluru, suggested that glitches in the Toll Management System (TMS) software could be responsible for these unexpected charges. Despite an upgrade in September, anomalies persisted, prompting officials to investigate the matter further.
FASTag users facing similar issues are advised to call the toll-free helpline at 1033 or contact the toll plaza manager directly for assistance. Additionally, complaints can be lodged with the respective FASTag issuing banks, with helpline numbers available on npci.org.in. As authorities work to rectify the situation, affected users are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any discrepancies promptly. The root cause of these irregularities remains under scrutiny, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to restore confidence in the electronic toll collection system.