A new controversy has emerged concerning FASTag at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. FASTag, which was designed to simplify the payment process at toll plazas, is now causing issues related to vehicle entry at the airport. According to information, only vehicles with an active FASTag were being allowed entry into the arrival area of Terminal-3. Vehicles without a FASTag or with an inactive one were being directed towards the Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP) located in front of the airport.
According to a report by The Indian Express, this new policy resulted in many vehicles facing the problem of losing the eight-minute free waiting period available in the arrival area. After this issue came to light, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) took notice. This raised the question of whether a vehicle's entry can be blocked based on the FASTag used for paying parking fees?
This rule was applicable in the arrival lane of Terminal-3, from where both international and domestic flights operate and a large number of people come and go. Vehicles picking up passengers are usually given an eight-minute free waiting period, during which they can stop at the arrival gate without any charge and proceed after picking up the passenger. However, recently it was observed that instead of allowing vehicles without an active FASTag into the arrival lane, they were being sent to the Multi-Level Car Parking in front of the airport, causing inconvenience to passengers and leading to the expiry of the eight-minute free waiting period for many vehicles.
The official clarification in this regard is that FASTag is fundamentally just a mode of payment, and it cannot be used to restrict a vehicle's entry. An official told The Indian Express that the purpose of FASTag is to pay for facilities like parking, not to control vehicle entry at the airport.
According to the official, NHAI has taken cognizance of this matter. Subsequently, instructions have been issued to the concerned banks operating at the airport to use FASTag only for payment. Furthermore, an order has been issued to stop any arrangement that restricts vehicle entry based on FASTag, so as not to cause trouble for people. NHAI clarified that FASTag should only be used for payment and should not be misused to enforce vehicle entry and parking rules at the airport.
FASTag is an electronic toll payment system operated by NHAI. It works on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. FASTag is affixed to the vehicle's windshield, allowing sensors installed at the toll plaza to scan it automatically. Subsequently, the toll is deducted directly from the bank account or prepaid wallet linked to the vehicle owner's FASTag, eliminating the need for the vehicle to stop and pay cash at the toll booth.
If the FASTag is linked to a prepaid account, it needs to be recharged periodically. If there is insufficient balance, the FASTag can be blacklisted. A FASTag can only be affixed to one vehicle, and it is issued by the government only for registered vehicles. Once affixed to a vehicle, it cannot be used in another vehicle. FASTags can be purchased from banks associated with the National Electronic Toll Collection Network.