Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (SP)

Kaup, Jan 17: Union department of road transport and highways has made FASTag mandatory for all vehicles at the tollgates from Wednesday onward. For vehicles which opt to pay cash at the toll plazas, single way fee is charged each time, and such vehicles do not qualify for the concessional fee meant for vehicles coming back within 24 hours.

In its circular sent to toll plazas by National Highways Authority of India on January 15, it is clearly mentioned that for being eligible for any concession, the vehicles concerned need to compulsorily be equipped with FASTag.

Hejamady tollgate

On Thursday, only a single lane was set aside for cash transaction at Hejamady tollgate. Another rule is that in case of vehicles having FASTag, if the FASTag do not have sufficient balance to meet the toll fees, such vehicles have to pay double the normal fee. Therefore, some vehicle owner who came to know about the rule either put the vehicle on the reverse, replenished money in the FASTag and moved ahead or opted to take the cash lane.

At Brahmarakootlu toll plaza too the staff began to issue single tickets to all vehicles opting to pay cash instead of concessional double tickets. As toll fee payment was made compulsory for vehicles coming to Talapady from Mangaluru, buses have been returning from near the gate, which has created problems for those who have to reach the state border.

There have been complaints, that a number of customers who had applied for FASTag through nationalized banks about a month back have not yet received their FASTag.