What is a Toll Plaza Booth: Everything You Need to Know!

A toll booth plaza serves as a payment station on toll highways, where drivers must stop and pay a fee, known as a toll tax, to proceed with their journey. These toll booths are typically found on major highways and state roads and are common in many regions. A collection of these booths forms a toll plaza. It's important to note that toll charges at these booths only apply to four-wheelers and larger vehicles. Smaller vehicles like motorcycles are generally exempt from toll taxes.

A toll tax is a fee collected from vehicle owners using certain roads, such as highways, expressways, and bridges. This fee is often called the National Highway (NH) fee. The roads where this fee applies are designated as toll roads or toll plazas. The primary purpose of collecting toll tax is to fund the maintenance and development of these road infrastructures. Drivers receive a toll plaza receipt as proof of payment once they pass through a toll booth.

Toll tax amounts vary based on factors like the size and weight of the vehicle. Commercial vehicles are typically charged more compared to personal vehicles. The toll fee also depends on the road's length, typically covering sections of about 60 kilometres. For shorter sections, the toll charge is proportional to the road's length.

Private companies are often contracted to maintain specific highway segments. They manage toll plazas and are responsible for calculating the toll charges. The calculation considers factors such as vehicle size, load, and potential road wear caused by heavier vehicles. This ensures that funds collected through tolls contribute to the upkeep and improvement of the roads.

The NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) assesses the wear and tear caused by heavy vehicles on roads to determine toll tax. This includes the load capacity and the vehicle's size, which influence the Passenger Car Unit (PCU) used to calculate the toll tax.

It is important to note that toll tax is not levied on two-wheelers and pedestrians, especially on inter-state expressways. As per the Government of India regulations, vehicles with a PCU capacity of less than one are exempt, placing two-wheelers in this category.

Toll tax is specifically charged on designated toll roads, such as national and state highways, falling under the NHAI's jurisdiction. When vehicles pass through a toll tax booth, they contribute to developing and maintaining these roadways, evidenced by a toll plaza receipt.

In contrast, road tax falls under state government mandates and is a one-time tax applicable to all vehicle owners, regardless of vehicle size.

The FASTag scanner, a key feature in cashless transactions at toll plazas, employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to scan FASTag stickers on a vehicle's windshield. This device is integral to the FASTag system, facilitating swift and seamless transactions and reducing traffic congestion at toll plazas.

Introduced as part of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) payment system, FASTag has become a vital element of India's transport infrastructure. In 2021, the Government of India mandated the use of FASTag for all vehicles on national highways, aligning with its vision to promote digital payments, ease traffic flow, and foster an environmentally friendly ecosystem.

Here's how a FASTag works at a toll plaza:

• Vehicle detection: As an RFID-enabled FASTag vehicle enters a NETC lane, the scanner captures details like Tag ID and vehicle class, transmitting them to the acquiring bank.
• Verification: The bank requests validation from the NETC Mapper, which confirms tag details.
• Validation: If the Tag ID is recognised, the process continues; if not, the tag is deemed invalid.
• Fare calculation: Post validation, the toll fare is calculated, and a debit request is initiated in the NETC system.
• Debiting process: The NETC system requests the issuer bank to deduct the amount from the customer's account.
• Confirmation: Following successful deduction, an SMS alert is sent to the tag holder, and the NETC system receives a confirmation.
• Transaction completion: The NETC system then communicates with the toll plaza system to finalise the transaction.

Click here to do FASTag Recharge through PayZapp on your IOS phone.

Click here to make an online FASTag recharge through the Payzapp recharge app on your Android phone.

HDFC Bank's National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag Account simplifies paying tolls. You can purchase a FASTag online and offline and conveniently link several vehicles to one prepaid FASTag wallet. Among the various recharge options, one notable method is the PayZapp UPI Payment app. This platform allows you to effortlessly recharge your FASTag, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience in toll payments. Download PayZapp now.

*Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances.