The FASTag electronic toll collection across national highways and state roads hit an all-time high in December 2021. The government said it collected Rs. 3,679 crore via FASTag, which translates to a collection of Rs. 119 crore per day. According to the data shared by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the toll collection increased by Rs. 502 crore in December when compared to November in 2021. It also saw a substantial jump in revenue increasing by Rs. 1,375 crore year-on-year, as against Rs. 2,304 crore in December 2020. Do note, FASTag was mandated on vehicles from February 2021, which prompted faster use of electronic toll collection.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About FASTag
A spike in economic activities, re-opening of highways in Punjab & Haryana and more FASTag-enabled tolls helped improve the collection figures
Do note that nearly 98 per cent of the toll collection through FASTag accounts comes from the national highways. Furthermore, a spike in the collection in the last few months was also due to the resumption of toll collection at the toll plazas in Punjab and Haryana, following the suspension of protests by farmers. Moreover, there was a spike in economic activities and travel during this period that further added to the overall volumes. Lastly, the government has established more FASTag-enabled toll plazas that make the collection a more seamless experience.
Also Read: FASTag Mandatory From February 16 2021 Onwards; No Deadline Extension
Using a FASTag is a completely online process with the user depositing money into the dedicated account, which then gets deducted by the scanner at the booth. The move aims to make crossing tolls a quicker process. But it's yet to see a 100 per cent seamless transition with some scanners unable to read the FASTag properly or not functioning at all. The waiting time at a toll boot still remains uncomfortably long on several occasions. However, the government has been working to fix these teething issues with the impressive toll collection showing progress.
Source: ETAuto
