New FASTag balance validation rules come into effect today (February 17). These changes in the guidelines are aimed at streamlining toll transactions and gaining control of fraudulent activities. Achieving this goal will ultimately mean reduced queues at toll gates. As per the circular released by the National Payments Corporation Of India (NPCI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), non-compliance with these rules by the users may lead to the doubled amount of charges of toll fees.
New FASTag Rules List
- The toll payment by the users won’t be processed if the FASTag in question is blacklisted upon reaching the toll. Additionally, the payment will be declined in case the FASTag was blacklisted at least 10 minutes before the time of scanning. The users going through the toll stations will get a 70-minute grace period to rectify the status of FASTag before going through. The users with blacklisted FASTag will have to double the toll charged upon reaching the booth. However, if the users aware of blacklisting get a recharge within 10 minutes, a penalty refund will be initiated to get the money back. The users of FASTag are prone to face extra charges if the transaction of the funds is processed more than 15 minutes after the vehicle in question passes through the scanner. Banks are permitted to initiate chargebacks for incorrect deductions concerning blacklisted or low-balance FASTags following a 15-day waiting period.
Reasons FASTag Can Get Blacklisted
The FASTags in use can be blacklisted if they have insufficient balance, failure in payment, non-payment of toll tax, failure to update Know Your Customer (KYC) details, and any discrepancy in the vehicle’s registration or chassis number at the time of scanning.
How to check blacklist status
For this, you will have to visit the official website of the Transport Department. Here select Check E-Challan Status or a similar option. After this, you fill in your vehicle registration number. This way you will be able to know whether your vehicle is blacklisted or not.
Know how to unblock FASTag
To unblock FASTag, first recharge the FASTag. After this, maintain the minimum balance. Then verify the payment. After this, you will know the status of the FASTag. The FASTag will be activated in a short while
How To Avoid Paying Double With New FASTag Rules?
As per the new circular released by NPCI, the FASTag users should ensure the account has sufficient balance at all times. Furthermore, the users are advised to keep track of the balance before entering a toll booth. They can also check the FASTag status to make sure that the account has not been blacklisted and is still active.
Suppose your FASTag has been blacklisted before you reach the toll, and even after reading the tag it is blacklisted, then payment will not be possible. And a double toll will be charged to you.
On the other hand, if your FASTag is blacklisted. But if you recharge the tag within 60 minutes of reading or 10 minutes of reading, then your payment will be received and you will be charged only normal charges.
If your FASTag is blacklisted and you cross the toll, then a double charge will be taken from you. But if you recharge within 10 minutes after the tag is read, then you can also put in a request for a penalty refund. You will not be charged any extra charge for this.
This means that it has become mandatory for you to maintain your FASTag balance. Also, KY-related issues should be resolved. Recharge should not be done last time.
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