Millions of people travel on highways and expressways across the country every day. During this time they have to pay toll tax. Now the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has changed the FASTAG rules to provide toll exemption for disabled people. The new rules have come into force from today.

The clear objective of this change is to facilitate the process of passing through the toll plaza for the disabled. The previously discounted FASTag was due for renewal this year. For this many applications and documents had to be processed. Now eligible people will not need to renew FASTag for several years.

Validity of FASTag will be determined according to disability

Under the new rules, the validity of the discounted FASTag will now be determined based on the percentage of disability. If a person’s disability is between 70 and 100 percent, the discounted FASTag issued to him will be valid for 5 years. At the same time, FASTag will be valid for 3 years for eligible people with more than 40 percent but less than 70 percent disability.

No need to renew every year now

Earlier, PWDs had to make a fresh application every year to continue the toll exemption. This was time consuming as well as paperwork. Now getting 3 or 5 years validity will eliminate the problem of renewing every year. Only after the expiry of the prescribed period of FASTag, the eligible person has to reapply with the necessary documents. This application can be done online or offline.

Keep these conditions in mind for toll exemption

The government has also clarified that not everyone will get the discounted FASTag. For this, the eligible person must have a disability certificate recognized by the government. Also the vehicle should be registered in the name of a disabled person or the vehicle should be specially registered for their use. The benefit of toll exemption will be available only to the vehicle on which this special FASTag is affixed. FASTag can be blacklisted if any non-eligible person is found misusing it.

Traveling on the highway will be easy

According to the government, the new rules may simplify the process of verification and verification of FASTag at toll plazas. Apart from saving time, digital verification will also help prevent attempts to obtain toll exemption through fake documents.

Persons with disabilities can apply for this long-term FASTag through the official free FASTag portal of NHAI or Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. For this a valid UDID card and necessary documents related to the vehicle have to be provided.

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