New Delhi (NVI) The Ministry of Transport has mandated FASTags with effect from today in M and N categories of motor vehicles sold before 1 December, 2017.
Category ‘M’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. Category ‘N’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry people in addition to goods.
“It is clarified that this Central Motor Vehicle Rule stands in force as it is,” read an official statement by the ministry.
“However, at hybrid lanes of fee plazas on National Highways, fee payment can be made through FASTag as well as in cash mode till 15th February, 2021. Moreover, in FASTag lanes of fee plazas, payment of fees will continue to be through FASTag only,” the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways said in a statement.
The Ministry has clarified that it is committed to implementation of 100% E-tolling at fee plazas from 1st January, 2021 onwards, mandated under CMV Rules, as amended, it said.
Pertinent to mention here that FASTag, which facilitates electronic payment of fee at toll plazas, was introduced in 2016. Making the tags compulsory would also help in ensuring that vehicles pass seamlessly through the toll plazas as fee payment would be done electronically.
-ARK
