NEW DELHI, Dec 31: The deadline for continuing cash collections in toll plazas on the national highways which was earlier fixed for January 1, has been extended till February 15.
The union ministry of road transport and highways in a notification on Thursday said the hybrid lanes would continue to accept toll fees both in cash and FASTag for another 45 days while on the FASTag lanes, the payment of fees would be only through FASTag only.
The government had earlier announced the deadline for stopping cash collection making FASTag for all vehicles compulsory from January 1.
In its notification, the ministry said the government had “mandated fitment of FASTag with effect from 1st January, 2021, in M and N categories of motor vehicles sold before 1st 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 persons in addition to goods. It is clarified that this Central Motor Vehicle Rule stands in force as it is.
“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 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.”
(Manas Dasgupta)