Himachal: FASTag Facility to be Available at 55 Toll Barriers

Shimla (Uttam Hindu News)- Himachal Pradesh government is going to streamline the entry tax payment facility for passengers entering the state through vehicles.

This information was given by a government spokesperson on Sunday. He said that Fastag based entry tax collection facility will be started at all 55 toll barriers of the state. In the first phase, Fastag based entry tax facility will be implemented at six places, which include Garamora of Bilaspur district, Parwanoo (Main), Tipra Bypass (Parwanoo) of Solan district, Govindghat of Sirmaur district, Kandwal of Kangra district, Mehatpur of Una district and Baddi of Solan district. With the introduction of this facility, waiting time of vehicles will be saved at the time of entering the state.

The spokesperson said the government has decided to auction-cum-tender all entry tax barriers for FY 2025-26, which is expected to increase entry tax revenue by 7.5 per cent as compared to FY 2024-25. Successful toll lessees of selected toll units will have to complete all formalities related to FASTag based entry tax system implementation within 45 days, otherwise their lease will be cancelled. They will bear the entire cost of installation and operation including charges of the issuing bank, NPCI, IHMCL and the acquiring bank. Senior officers of the concerned department have been directed to ensure timely implementation in their respective jurisdictions.

The spokesperson said that toll lessees will have to submit a document confirming implementation of FASTag based entry tax system at their own expense. Besides, they will have to issue receipts to commuters within 24 hours and will be strictly prohibited from charging any amount more than the approved toll rates. At present, all Himachal Pradesh-registered vehicles, except heavy commercial vehicles, are exempted from entry tax. The FASTag software will have a provision to ensure that no deduction is made for exempted vehicles.