300 highways to get e-toll facility

To enable smooth passage of vehicles on toll plazas, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will start electronic toll facility in across 300 national highways from April 1.

To encourage highways users to join the electronic payment system, the NHAI will also give 10% discount on toll charges for the first year to those who opt for the facility.

Users can visit any branch of the three banks—ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and State Bank of India—and get tags from April 1. Scanners or hand-held devices at the toll plazas will automatically deduct toll from vehicles with the tag. Though at present three banks have been empanelled, the NHAI will rope in other banks to join the system. Besides, the e-tags will be also sold at petrol pumps and designated centres once the system is in place, NHAI chairman Chandra said.

Out of the 357 toll plazas in the country, 300 tolls have already installed the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) equipment, while the remaining 57 would use hand-held devices from April 1, and have been given some extended time to switch to the equipment.

A dedicated lane marked Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) Fastag will be available at every toll plaza. These lanes will have a distinct colour.