A resident of Chhani area in Vadodara has filed a case against National Highway Authority of India, a toll plaza at Hazira, Surat. The complainant named Dinesh was travelling from Songadh to Surat. His FASTag was not scanned at the toll plaza due to which created the case.
Ask for zero transaction receipt in case you are facing an issue with your FASTag instead of paying a penalty.
Dinesh argued that he could have been permitted to pass through the toll plaza with a zero transaction receipt, as per the G.S.R. 427[A] dt. 7-5-2018 issued by the NHAI and “The National Highway Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Amendment of Rules,2018.” Meanwhile, the NHAI authorities argued that the vehicle on which the FASTag was registered was not functional, and hence the barrier did not budge, due to which the personnel had to intervene. They referred to circular 15-05-2020, which stated that if the FASTag was invalid or non-functional, it would not be scanned on any toll plaza, and there would be no data in their system about the vehicle having such an unscannable FASTag.
“FASTag not a sim card which can be used hourly or daily, it is used occasional”
However, the court ruled in Dinesh’s favor, stating that toll plaza personnel should have asked for normal payment and could have issued a manual receipt if there was an issue with the FASTag, although there was sufficient balance in the account. The court ordered the NHAI to return the fine collected of Rs. 145 with 9% interest p.a. and pay an additional fine of Rs. 500 due to the “committed deficiency in service in collecting double toll from the complainant.”
“Scanning of FASTag is only possible at toll plazas, not to expect from common men to do that”
This case highlights the importance of ensuring that FASTags are functional and have enough balance while passing through toll plazas. It also emphasizes the need for toll plaza personnel to follow the proper protocol and issue manual receipts if necessary. The judgment provides some clarity for individuals who may face similar issues while using FASTags at toll plazas in the future.
“An alternative of the FASTag to ensure toll payment incase of failure of the tag to not distress the citizens travelling”
