Govt may do away with cash payment of toll charges on NHs

NEW DELHI: Will the government bite the bullet to stop cash payment for toll charges on National Highways from January 1as it targets to go for 100% collection through FASTag. Sources said the government is weighing the options to mark the “hybrid lanes”, where cash is accepted, as “FASTag lane” as well.
In that case, anyone paying toll charges in cash will have to pay double the amount of normal user fee. TOI has learnt that a decision on this will be taken next week. Recently, the road transport and highways ministry had asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) about its preparedness to go for 100% tolling through FASTag. “The end of hybrid lanes will pinch those who are paying the toll charge by cash and they would prefer to go for FASTags,” said an NHAI official.