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MANGALURU: With the Union government making FASTag mandatory across the nation from February 15 midnight, statistics from four toll plazas in Talapady, Brahmarakotlu, Surathkal, Hejmady and Sasthan show compliance in nearly 70% of the vehicles.

Vehicles without FASTag will have to pay a penalty, double the actual amount, and they also will have to register for the electronic toll paying prepaid accounts. Shishu Mohan, project director, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Mangaluru, told TOI that all lanes of toll plazas will be converted into FASTag lanes from midnight.

“On an average more than 70% vehicles reaching toll gates are fitted with FASTag. All lanes in the toll plazas on NHs will be declared as FASTag lanes from midnight. There will be no cash payment and they must obtain FASTag from that particular location immediately. If the vehicle’s FASTag has no balance in the wallet, then they should recharge immediately,”

On Surathakal toll gate, where local residents have been demanding extension of exemption from toll payment, Mohan said, “Making FASTag mandatory is a direction of the PMO. It is up to the people to obey the direction of PMO. Moreover, local people have a provision of availing monthly FASTag by paying just Rs 275 per month.”

Meanwhile, Navayuga Udupi Tollway Private Limited (NUTPL) also is geared up to convert all the lanes into FASTag lanes.

Shivaprasad Rai, manager for NUTPL’s toll gates at Talapady, Hejmady and Sasthan, said that one lane each from both sides will remain open all the toll plazas till midnight and from Tuesday all vehicles will be allowed to enter only with FASTag.

“There are counters at all the toll gates for the convenience of people to get FASTag instantly. They may register for the FASTag by producing the vehicle registration certification and another valid identity card. They will have to pay double the amount if they enter the FASTag lane without FASTag from Tuesday. While more than 70% of the vehicles reach Hejmady and Sasthan toll gates with FASTag at present, the percentage is about 60 at Talapady,” he added.

‘Will oppose toll’ - Members of the Action Committee Against Surathkal Toll Gate have warned that they will protest and stop the toll collection at Surathkal if FASTag is made mandatory for local vehicles at Surathkal from Tuesday. Committee convener Muneer Katipalla said that the government has not responded to the demand of extending the exemption allowed for vehicles registered with Udupi and Mangaluru RTOs at the Surathakal toll gate. “We will hold a protest if the exemption is not extended,” he added.