New Delhi: There is a big news for those traveling on national highways and toll plazas across the country. The government has now implemented the new rule of digital toll payment in the entire country. This simply means that now you will not need to stand in long queues and pay cash at toll points. All transactions will now be done through FASTag and digital means only. However, amidst this high-tech transformation, a surprising twist has also emerged. There are 5 such states in the country, where the old system is still working and you can continue your journey by paying cash without any hesitation.
While on one hand the whole country is rapidly moving towards Digital India, on the other Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and union territories Puducherry For now the old system will continue. Drivers living in or passing through these specific areas are currently kept out of the strictures of the digital rule.
Interestingly, there is no technical fault or lack of system behind this, but there is a bigger democratic reason. Actually, the election season is currently going on in all these states and Puducherry. Due to elections, ‘Model Code of Conduct’ is in force in these areas, under which the government cannot implement any new rule or policy. For this reason, the new digital toll rule has been put on hold in these electoral areas for the time being.
If you are going on the roads of these election states, then you do not need to worry about digital payment at toll booths. The administration has made it clear that no driver will be forced to follow the new rules until the election process is completed.
In simple words, you are the master of your own will at the toll plazas of these states. If you have cash in your pocket, you can get a receipt issued by paying cash. At the same time, if FASTag is installed on your vehicle or you want to use UPI, then that will also be accepted as before. This relaxation has been given to protect the general public from any new problems in the election environment.
Travelers should keep in mind that this relaxation is not a permanent rule, but only a temporary extension. As soon as the voting is over in these five constituencies and the election results are declared, digital rules will become mandatory here like in the rest of the country. The government’s stance is very clear – as soon as the elections are over, the work of toll collection in these states will also be completely shifted to Fastag and digital mode. Till then you can roam around with cash in these states.
