Truck Drivers Find Ways to Evade Toll
Several truck drivers have devised methods to evade paying tolls. Some truck drivers and other heavy vehicle drivers are using fastag in their trucks to avoid tolls. This was revealed when such cases came to the attention of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Some truck drivers were attempting to cross toll plazas by installing car fastags in their trucks. Those caught revealed the deception. To stop this, the NHAI has taken action.
Duping the System with Multiple Fastags
Sources say that systems are in place at toll plazas to keep in mind the apprehensions of toll tax thieves, however, there are some technical issues. Some truck drivers were taking advantage of this by using fastags issued for cars on their truck windscreens. Trucks have to pay more toll than cars, hence using car fastags on trucks was beneficial for them at every turn.
Other Cases of Toll Tax Theft
There have been other cases of toll tax theft as well. These included cases of access control expressways where the fastag did not match at the time of taking toll before leaving the expressway. When several cases came to light on Allahabad highway, toll authorities became suspicious. On investigation, it was found that some vehicle owners had more than one fastag. At the time of entering the expressway, they had one fastag, but when they were about to pay the toll before exiting the expressway, they put on another fastag. Due to having different fastags, a match could not be made with the machine. Based on the system flaws, they were allowed to go.
Over 80 Million Fastag Users
Over 80 million people using toll roads have already been issued fastags. This generates a daily revenue of nearly 190 crore rupees, including truck drivers using car fastags and other vehicle owners using multiple fastags to steal tolls. Sources suggest that it is possible that some car owners may still be stealing toll in some new way. Earlier, bank agents at toll plazas were charging vehicle owners between 100 to 200 rupees and in some cases even more, to recharge their fastags. This issue was also raised prominently by NBT.
- Several truck drivers are using deceptive methods to evade paying tolls.
- Drivers are duping the system by using multiple fastags.
- There have been other cases of toll tax theft involving fastags.
- Over 80 million people using toll roads have already been issued fastags, generating a daily revenue of nearly 190 crore rupees.
