Mumbai: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made the use of FASTag mandatory for availing return journey discounts or any other exemptions on Toll Plazas.

Users who wish to claim a discount for making a return journey within 24 hours or any other local exemptions are required to have a valid functional FASTag on the vehicle. A Gazette notification no. 534 E dated 24th August 2020, to amend the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules 2008, has been notified in this respect.

This is another step towards promoting the use of digital payments on Toll Plazas at National Highways. The fee payable towards such discounts shall be paid through pre-paid instruments, smart cards or through FASTag or onboard unit (transponder) or any other such device only.

The amendments to the Rules would enable-
i. Discounts on return journey within 24 hours, it would be through FASTag or such other device 
ii. For discounts on all other cases, having a valid FASTag is made necessary.

There will be no need for an intimation of the return journey and the citizen would get the discount automatically if a return journey is made within 24 hours with a valid and functional FASTag on the vehicle.