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Gadkari outlines plans to expand FASTag beyond toll collection, ET Infra

Gadkari outlines plans to expand FASTag beyond toll collection, ET Infra

Time of India6 hours ago

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Engagement with fintech sector
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ETInfra
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that the FASTag system has the potential to support digital travel services across India. He said the government intends to develop FASTag into a broader platform to improve user convenience, streamline transport services, and increase efficiency in the sector.Gadkari was speaking at a workshop with fintech companies organised in New Delhi by the Indian Highways and Management Company Limited (IHMCL), which is promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).The event aimed to gather input from fintech firms on matters such as regulatory compliance data security , and potential non-toll applications for FASTag. The workshop is part of efforts to shape the next stage of the system's development.V Umashankar, Secretary at the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, said that India's fintech sector has introduced a number of innovations. He noted that FASTag has changed the process of electronic toll collection in the country.Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman of NHAI, said the suggestions from the workshop would support future developments and help expand the use of the FASTag system beyond toll payments.

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Toll tax on two wheelers soon? NHAI dismisses false reports; says 'no such decision'
Toll tax on two wheelers soon? NHAI dismisses false reports; says 'no such decision'

Time of India

timean hour ago

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Toll tax on two wheelers soon? NHAI dismisses false reports; says 'no such decision'

The government has dismissed recent media reports suggesting that two-wheelers could soon be brought under the toll tax net. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) addressed the claims, clarifying that no such proposal is under consideration and there are no plans to introduce toll charges for two-wheelers. In an official post on X, NHAI wrote, 'Some sections of the media have reported that the Government of India plans to levy user fees on two-wheelers. NHAI would like to clarify that no such proposal is under consideration. There are no plans to introduce toll charges for two-wheelers.' Nitin Gadkari, minister of road transport & highways, also stepped in to dismiss the reports, explaining 'no such decision has been proposed.' 'The exemption on toll for two-wheeler vehicles will continue fully,' he further added. These clarifications come after several reports claimed that the government will be introducing levy user fees on two-wheelers. At present, two-wheelers continue to be exempted fully from toll charges. These reports come after the government announced a new FASTag Annual Pass, last week. The FASTag Annual Pass is a prepaid toll scheme set to launch on August 15, aimed towards easing travel for private car owners and frequent highway commuters, allows up to 200 toll-free trips or one year of unlimited access on national highways and expressways for a fixed amount of Rs 3,000. Union minister Gadkari had described the scheme as a major step towards making highway travel more affordable and less time-consuming, especially for middle-class families. The plan, which works on existing FASTags, is expected to significantly reduce congestion at toll plazas while promoting seamless digital transactions. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

No plans to collect tolls from two-wheelers, Nitin Gadkari junks reports
No plans to collect tolls from two-wheelers, Nitin Gadkari junks reports

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

No plans to collect tolls from two-wheelers, Nitin Gadkari junks reports

New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari junked on Thursday the speculative reports that asserted the government was going to impose toll tax on two-wheelers. "Some media houses are spreading misleading news about imposing toll tax on two-wheeler vehicles. No such decision has been proposed," the minister wrote on X, in Hindi. The exemption on toll for two-wheeler vehicles will continue fully, he reassured. "Spreading misleading news without verifying the truth to create a sensation is not a sign of healthy journalism. I condemn this," he added. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) also separately clarified that that no such proposal is under consideration. "There are no plans to introduce toll charges for two-wheelers," NHAI wrote on X. In a separate news, the government is set to introduce a FASTag-based Annual Pass, that will provide a 'big relief' to commuters as it will reduce the financial burden and ease travel with no need to stop at toll plazas. The annual pass scheme that will allow commuters to cross 200 toll plazas on National Highways for just ₹ 3,000 annually--down from the earlier average of ₹ 10,000. The scheme will come into effect from August 15. Minister Gadkari had said the new system translates to an average toll cost of ₹ 15 per crossing--substantially lower than the current average--and is expected to save regular highway users up to ₹ 7,000 a year. In April this year, in view of the multiple reports claiming that FASTags will be replaced by a satellite-based tolling system from May 1, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had issued a clarification, refuting these claims. The ministry had confirmed that no such decision was made. The Ministry in a release, then announced that in order to enable seamless, barrier-free movement of vehicles through toll plazas and reduce travel time, an 'ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System' will be implemented at selected toll plazas. The advanced tolling system will combine 'Automatic Number Plate Recognition' (ANPR) technology, which will identify vehicles by reading their number plates, and the existing 'FASTag system' that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) for toll deduction. Under this, vehicles will be charged based on their identification through high-performance ANPR cameras and FASTag Readers, without needing to stop at the toll plazas. In case of non-compliance, E-Notices will be served to the violators, non-payment of which may result in suspension of FASTag and other VAHAN-related penalties. NHAI has invited bids for the implementation of the 'ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System' that will be installed at selected toll plazas. Based on the performance, efficiency, and user response to this system, a decision will be made regarding its implementation across the country, subsequently. (ANI)

Govt to impose toll tax on two-wheelers? Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, NHAI clarify - ‘Spreading misleading news...'
Govt to impose toll tax on two-wheelers? Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, NHAI clarify - ‘Spreading misleading news...'

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

Govt to impose toll tax on two-wheelers? Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, NHAI clarify - ‘Spreading misleading news...'

No, the Centre has no plans to impose a toll tax on two-wheelers, clarified Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Thursday. This comes after some media reports reported that the government was planning to levy user fees on two-wheelers. In a strong-worded tweet in Hindi, Gadkari condemned media houses for 'spreading misleading news' without verifying facts and said it is 'not a sign of healthy journalism'. 'The exemption on toll for two-wheeler vehicles will continue fully,' he said. 'Some media houses are spreading misleading news about imposing toll tax on two-wheeler vehicles. No such decision has been proposed,' Gakdari's tweet read. 'Spreading misleading news without verifying the truth to create a sensation is not a sign of healthy journalism. I condemn this,' it added. In a fact-check post, the NHAI also said that it was fake news and no such proposal was under consideration. 'Some sections of the media have reported that the Government of India plans to levy user fees on two-wheelers. NHAI would like to clarify that no such proposal is under consideration. There are no plans to introduce toll charges for two-wheelers,' NHAI said in a tweet, alongside the hashtag fake news.

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