CHENNAI: After starting a drive to issue FASTag free of cost from November 22 to December 1, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has asked private banks to issue the same for free to encourage vehicle owners to switch over to the electronic toll collection system.
The NHAI authorities have instructed several private banks – including ICICI, Axis, HDFC, IDFC First, IndusInd and Kotak Mahindra Bank – to issue FASTag free of cost. The NHAI authorities took the measure following the announcement of Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari that FASTag could be availed for free from November 22 to December 1.
IMCL (Indian Highways Management Company Limited), an initiative of the NHAI which is implementing the project, urged the banks to waive off the security deposit as a “promotional gesture”.
The programme was launched to ensure faster movement of vehicles at toll plazas, cashless payment and reduction of traffic congestion. ETC (electronic toll collection) is mandatory from December 1.
