Vehicles will be allowed to pass without toll tax if wait time exceeds 10 secs, NHAI

To maintain low waiting time at toll plazas, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has established standards requiring no more than 10 seconds of service time per vehicle even during busy hours. The new rules also prevent vehicles from queuing for more than 100 metres at toll plazas, ensuring a smooth throughput of traffic A yellow line will be painted in each toll lane at a distance of 100 metres from the toll booth for this reason, according to the NHAI, in order to instil a heightened level of accountability in toll plaza workers.

New Toll Plaza Rules

• Even at busy hours, the toll plazas on the National Highways will have a waiting time of less than 10 seconds per vehicle.
• At toll plazas, a smooth flow of traffic will be maintained by prohibiting vehicles from queueing for more than 100 metres.
• If there is a 100-meter lineup of waiting vehicles, the vehicles will be permitted to cross without paying toll charges.
• In each toll lane, a yellow line will be drawn at a distance of 100 metres from the toll booth.

According to the Ministry, waiting times at toll plazas have decreased dramatically since the FASTag was implemented. The NHAI stated that there is no queue at most toll plazas after the compulsory 100 per cent FASTag is imposed. Concerning the same NHAI has stated that "even then if there is a queue of waiting vehicles of more than 100 metres due to some reason, the vehicles will be allowed to pass without paying toll till the queue comes within 100 meters from the toll booth". According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), as social distancing has become the latest trend, travellers are increasingly considering FASTag as a toll payment method because it eliminates any physical contact between motorists and toll personnel.