Latest news with #StateHighways
The Print
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Print
Govt to roll out Rs 3,000 FASTag annual pass for private cars from Aug 15
In closed tolling highways such as Delhi-Mumbai Expressway – where toll collection occurs exclusively at exit points – a single trip includes both entry and exit points. On the other hand, on open tolling routes like Delhi-Chandigarh, each toll plaza crossing would constitute a separate trip. The annual pass will be applicable only for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. It will allow seamless travel across National Highways without the need for repeated recharging of FASTag cards or toll payments, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, announcing the move through a post on X. New Delhi, Jun 18 (PTI) In a bid to ease toll payments on National Highways, the government will from August 15 bring a Rs 3,000 FASTag-based annual pass that would allow up to 200 trips on the highways in one year on a single charge. The pass can be recharged multiple times once the 200-trip limit in a year is crossed. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) clarified that those who already have a FASTag will not need to purchase a new FASTag. 'The annual pass can be activated on your existing FASTag, provided it meets the eligibility criteria (i.e., it is properly affixed on the vehicle's windshield, linked to a valid Vehicle Registration Number, not blacklisted etc),' it said. The annual pass will be valid only at National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) fee plazas. At fee plazas on Expressways, State Highways (SH), etc., managed by State Governments or local bodies, the FASTag will operate as a regular FASTag, and applicable user fee charges may apply. FASTag – the electronic toll collection system – uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to automatically deduct toll charges from a prepaid account linked to the vehicle. Over 10.1 crore FASTags were issued till December 1, 2024, according to the road transport ministry's 2024 year-end review. 'In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based annual pass priced at Rs 3,000, effective from 15th August 2025,' Gadkari said. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first, this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, he said. 'The annual pass will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across national highways throughout the country.' A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra app as well as on the official websites of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). According to Gadkari, the move will address long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplify toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. 'By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimising disputes at toll plazas, the annual pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,' he said. The government has made it compulsory for all 'M' and 'N' category vehicles to be fitted with FASTag. 'M' category includes vehicles with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers, while category 'N' comprises vehicles with at least four wheels for carrying goods in addition to passengers. Presently, monthly passes are available for those vehicles that frequently pass through a specific toll plaza. These passes, which cost Rs 340 a month and Rs 4,080 annually, can be availed by submitting address verification and other relevant documents. Average daily toll collection through FASTag on National Highway fee plaza is less than Rs 200 crore. Private cars account for 53 per cent of total passages but generate just 21 per cent of the revenue. The annual pass will be applicable only for private non-commercial Car/Jeep/Van. Use in any commercial vehicle will result in immediate deactivation without notice, the highways ministry said. It will be activated only when FASTags is properly affixed to the windshield of the registered vehicle. Each crossing of the fee plaza counts as one trip. A round trip (to and fro) counts as two trips. According to the ministry, for closed tolling fee plazas, one pair of entry and exit counts as one trip. The ministry also clarified that the annual pass is not mandatory and that the existing FASTag ecosystem will continue to function as usual. 'Users who do not opt for the annual pass can continue to use their FASTag for regular transactions as per applicable user fee rates at fee plazas,' it said. The ministry said highway users may re-purchase the annual pass once the 200-trip limit is exhausted, even if the one-year validity period has not yet ended. PTI BKS ANZ MR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Rural Voters Fed Up With Rates Rip-Off
Councils have a mountain to climb to win back the trust of rural ratepayers, Federated Farmers says - and that starts with cutting wasteful spending and sharing the burden more fairly. "At the same time, councils deserve an overhaul of their funding tools and other changes to central government policy," Feds local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says. "Council rates hikes have climbed well above inflation for several decades, but the pressure on ratepayers has only worsened. "When elections happen this October, voters should back candidates who commit to capping general rate increases at inflation - unless there's a genuinely extraordinary reason not to," Faulkner says. She says rural ratepayers are fed up with footing the bill for urban-centric services they don't use and aren't connected to. "It's time to scrap unfair rating differentials and shift towards targeted uniform charges and annual general charges to reduce reliance on property value-based rates." Federated Farmers is also calling for legislation changes that would require binding referenda on any council commercial projects that cost more than $500 per rateable property. "We're not talking about sewage treatment plants, bridges or other such essential infrastructure," Faulkner says. "We're meaning commercial ventures like stadiums, conference centres and marinas that are beyond core council purposes and can destroy balance sheets. "It's not to say these projects can't happen, but ratepayers should get to make the final call." Councils could also save money by sticking to their lane and leaving climate policy to central government, Faulkner says. "Councils should stop duplicating effort - and wasting ratepayer dollars - by setting climate policies. "To do something positive for the environment, councils that haven't already should bring in a rates remission policy for land under QEII covenants, Significant Natural Areas and Outstanding Natural Landscapes. "Given that public conservation values are protected by these mechanisms, farmers deserve rates relief," Faulkner says. Federated Farmers supports RMA and local planning reform that reduces delays, costs and uncertainty, and utilises tools like farm plans rather than consents. Significant Natural Area and environmental rules must be science-based and farmer-friendly. Faulkner says central government also has a major role in the drive for council efficiency and fairness. Federated Farmers believes road users, rather than property owners, should be paying for local roads and bridges - as is the case for State Highways. "We're calling for 90% of local roading maintenance and renewal costs to come from fuel excise tax and road user charges, rather than rates. Currently, the average is only 53%. "Property value rates are a particularly poor mechanism to fund roads for the same reason as general taxation: it doesn't tie those who use roads with those who pay for roads. "This system also lacks logic. In areas with a lot of tourism or freight, for example, locals are left paying for roading networks that serve a wider regional or national purpose." The 10% cost share left with ratepayers would lock in a district say on local road priorities. Other steps from central government are also needed to relieve cost pressures on council, Faulkner says. "Crown land should be rateable, the 30% cap on council uniform annual general charges should be scrapped, and the Beehive should stop unfunded mandates - piling extra responsibilities onto councils with no corresponding funding." Faulkner says with council elections looming, now's a great chance to ask some tough questions of councillors seeking re-election - and those challenging them for seats - on how they'll lessen the rural rates burden.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Black ice and freezing temperatures a concern for Mackenzie Basin
Photo: RNZ / Maja Burry The Transport Agency is warning motorists to take care with black ice and freezing temperatures expected to cause issues in the Mackenzie Basin this week. Waka Kotahi says fog, hoar frosts and black ice are likely to make driving challenging on State Highways 8 and 80 in inland Canterbury over coming days. Parts of State Highway 8 near Lake Tekapo have been reduced to 50 kilometres per hour and roads will be closed if conditions get worse. Waka Kotahi system manager Mark Pinner said while reducing speed is not a usual approach, typical de-icing agents were working at an extreme range, making them less effective. "The nature of the conditions forecast for this week means we need to use every tool we can to keep people safe on the roads," he said. Pinner said motorists should slow down, especially with the roads expected to be busy over the Matariki long weekend. "We also know it's going to get busier later in the week as we get closer to the long holiday weekend for Matariki. Reducing speed is the biggest thing drivers can do to keep themselves safe and to help keep the highways open." Meanwhile, State Highway 7 between Canterbury and the West Coast will remain closed for a second night after a slip discovered on Sunday morning led to the closure between Springs Junction and Island Hills. Waka Kotahi says contractors have worked with a geotechnical expert to prevent further debris falling at the slip, which is just south of Riordan Creek Bridge. The closure includes Lewis Pass and Maruia Springs. There is no detour, and motorists have been asked to delay travel and avoid the area. A single lane is expected to open at 7am Tuesday, with traffic management in place.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
Re-laying of roads with concrete on Mada Streets to be completed by July
The final phase of work to convert the potholed Mada Streets around Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai into concrete stretches will be completed by July. Officials of the State Highways, which executes the ₹15-crore work, said that laying concrete on the roads, including the Theradi Veethi and Thiruvoodal street, will provide a much-needed relief to devotees. 'The new concrete stretches will provide safe walking spaces for pilgrims. Road digging will be minimal as separate ducts are being laid for utility cables,' S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu. Forming a part of the 14-km-long girivalam path, 1.7 km-long Mada Streets witness 20,000 visitors on an average every day. During weekends and holidays, the footfall doubles in the temple town. These stretches connect the temple with the rest of the town. As part of celebrations during the Karthigai Deepam festival, the temple car is pulled through these stretches. Funded under the Chief Minister Road Development Project (CMRDP) 2024-25, the streets are being widened from the existing seven metres to 12 metres to utilise the unused road space. The work has been done in coordination with the civic body, police and Tangedco. The existing narrow storm water drain on the stretches is being widened to discharge excess rainwater and prevent inundation during the monsoon. Each drain is three feet wide and four feet deep. Tiled footpaths will be laid over the widened drain for pedestrians who otherwise has to walk on the carriageway. Also, a separate space of 50-cm width, between the drain and the carriageway is being laid with pavement blocks for utility works such as electrical lines and internet cables. This will prevent unnecessary road cutting to attend to any fault in these lines. Officials said that the reason behind the re-laying of the streets into concrete stretches was for its long lifespan as concrete roads can stay undamaged for at least two decades as against three years for bitumen roads. Earlier, the Mada streets were re-laid with bitumen every year during the festival.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Time of India
Identify accident-prone areas, implement safety steps, Hassan DC tells officials
Hassan: Deputy commissioner C Satyabhama directed the officials concerned to identify accident-prone areas and implement necessary safety measures to prevent road accidents in the district. The DC presided over the district road safety committee meeting. She emphasised reviewing last year's accident locations and ensuring that precautions are taken to prevent accidents in identified black spots. She also instructed officials to identify and monitor new black spots. The DC directed the municipal commissioner to identify alternative locations for markets to prevent accidents occurring in current market areas. With a high number of accidents occurring on national highways, she advised NHAI officials to take precautionary measures and manage the roads properly. The DC instructed officials from NHAI, public works, National Highways, and State Highways to separately identify black spots prone to accidents. NHAI officials were directed to ensure that ambulances face no obstacles at tolls. Satyabhama also emphasised the need for police station officers and village panchayat PDOs within these areas to be informed, and she instructed police department officials to address the issue of haphazard vehicle parking. The KSRTC divisional officer was instructed to take steps to train bus drivers to strictly adhere to traffic rules. The district health and family welfare officer was directed to install GPS in ambulances. Zilla panchayat deputy secretary Chandrashekhar, executive engineer of the public works department Girish, regional transport officer Raj Kumar, municipal commissioner Ramesh, and other officials were present.
