NHAI wants to make traffic flow better and make things easier for people using the highway with this new policy. "Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) has been issued to all User Fee Collection Agencies and Concessionaires to charge double user fee in case of non-affixation of FASTag on the front windshield," NHAI said.

To keep accurate records, CCTV cameras will record the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) of cars without FASTags at toll plazas. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced new rules to charge drivers double toll fees if they enter toll lanes without a FASTag on their front windshield. These new guidelines, released on Thursday, aim to stop people from avoiding FASTag and causing delays at toll plazas.

Under the new guidelines, information about the penalty for not complying will be clearly shown at all toll plazas. NHAI emphasized the enforcement of these rules by stating, "The information will also be prominently displayed at all User Fee plazas, informing highway users about the penalties for non-compliance of entering a toll lane without a fixed FASTag on front windshield."

To keep accurate records, CCTV cameras will capture the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) of cars without FASTags at toll plazas. This footage will document the fees charged and confirm the vehicle's presence in the toll lane.

NHAI has reiterated its commitment to upholding the standard procedural guidelines. "In accordance with already established rules, the statement said NHAI aims to enforce the standard procedural guidelines for affixation of FASTag on the front windshield of the assigned vehicle from inside."

Vehicles with improperly attached FASTags are not allowed to use Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems. They will be charged double toll fees and might also be blacklisted. The statement clarified, "any FASTag that is not affixed on the assigned vehicle as per standard process is not entitled to carry out Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) transaction at a User Fee Plaza and will have to pay double toll fee as well as can be duly blacklisted."

Banks issuing FASTags must ensure the proper fixation of FASTags to vehicles at the point of sale (POS). "Issuer banks have also been directed to ensure fixation of the FASTag to the assigned vehicle on the front windshield at the time of issuance from various Point-of-Sale (POS)," the statement added.

NHAI follows the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 to collect toll fees on National Highways. Toll fees are currently collected on about 45,000 km of National Highways and Expressways, with around 1,000 toll plazas across the country.

With about 98 percent usage and over 8 crore users, FASTag has greatly improved the Electronic Toll Collection system in India. NHAI believes that charging double toll fees for not having a FASTag will make toll operations more efficient, ensuring smooth and comfortable journeys for National Highway users.