New Delhi (NVI): By December 2019, nobody will be required to wait at toll plazas anywhere in the country, as an Aadhar for vehicles comes into effect as part of the unified toll electronic system across the country.
This was announced by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari while inaugurating a conference on ‘One Nation One Tag – FASTag’ here on October 14.
On the occasion Indian Highways Management Corp Ltd (IHMCL) exchanged Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with several states for integrating with FASTag. The move assumes special significance due to the fact that from December 1 this year, toll collections on all National Highways will mandatorily be done through FASTag only.
Speaking on the occasion, which was also attended by MoS Road Transport and Highways Gen (Retd) V K Singh, Gadkari said, “The integrated tolling system will provide seamless movement for road users and check revenue leakage at toll plazas”.
“This is likely to reduce the nation’s GDP loss by bringing down loss of fuel while waiting at toll plazas. This measure is both time saving, as also controls pollution substantially,” Gadkari added.
The Minister further said that efforts were being made to enable usage of FASTag for making various vehicle related payments apart from toll payments, such as for fuel, parking charges and others.
He said that the FASTag is being positioned as the ‘Aadhaar’ for a vehicle.
Gen (Retd) VK Singh while underlining the benefits of ‘One Nation One Tag – FASTag’ scheme said, “Seamless travelling at toll plazas will lead to ease of travelling”.
He complimented all stake holders for introducing this revolutionary idea, which he said, is going to prove very important in the overall national highways development plan.
Another agreement was signed between IHMCL and GST Network (GSTN) for integrating E-Way Bill system with FASTag. This has been done with a view to overcoming the existing challenge in track and trace mechanism for GST E-Way Bill (EWB) System and enhance the efficiency in its monitoring.
–RB
