Toll payments for commercial vehicles in Delhi will now be easier with the implementation of FASTags by the Municipal Corporation of India (MCI). Two RFID tags will no longer be required.
The MCD will award the tender to a new company, following a Supreme Court order. Following the lifting of the ECC exemption, all commercial vehicles will be equipped with FASTags. The installation of ANPR cameras in toll-free lanes will streamline toll collection and reduce traffic congestion.
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Like across the country, commercial vehicles in Delhi will no longer be required to carry two RFID tags for toll payments. The MCD is also working towards implementing FASTag for toll payments. This will facilitate commercial vehicle drivers who previously faced difficulties recharging two tags.
After the MCD implements this system, a new company will be tasked with collecting tenders. The decision to collect MCD tolls through FASTags comes after the Supreme Court approved an Environmental Compensation Charge (ECC) for all commercial vehicles.
The MCD previously faced significant difficulties implementing the FASTag system. There were several conditions for charging ECC, including a separate fee for empty vehicles, while the transport of fruits and essential goods was exempt from this tax, which is not available with FASTag.
A senior MCD official said that since the exemption category for ECC has been removed, they will integrate FASTags for all commercial vehicles. Discussions are underway with the National Highway Authority regarding this. Our toll collection tender is to be awarded to a new company. When this proposal is submitted and tenders are invited, we will include this provision in the tender conditions.
Note that private vehicles are exempt from toll upon entering Delhi, while commercial vehicles are charged toll. In 2019, following the directions of the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), the MCD introduced toll collection using RFID at 13 major toll plazas to reduce air pollution caused by parking of vehicles during cash toll collection.
The MCD issued its own RFID tags, which could be recharged on the MCD website or at toll plazas. However, the nationwide adoption of FASTags has created problems for commercial vehicle drivers who recharge their FASTags but forget to recharge their MCD tags. Furthermore, they had to maintain separate records for both tags.
ANPR cameras will be installed in free lanes
To improve its toll collection system, the MCD is considering installing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras in free lanes to reduce traffic congestion caused by stopping commercial vehicles entering the free lanes or collecting toll.
According to MCD officials, currently, when commercial vehicles enter the free lane, employees stop them to collect tolls, causing traffic jams. The installation of ANPR cameras will eliminate this. As a vehicle passes, the cameras will scan the vehicle number and the toll will be charged to the Fastag or MCD tag registered on the vehicle.
