The road transport ministry has issued a strict notification. It states that failing to pay tolls or user fees on national highways will lead to denial of a No Objection Certificate. This NOC is crucial for various vehicle-related services.
Impact on Vehicle Owners
Vehicle owners must pay their highway tolls promptly. If they do not, they will face significant hurdles. The ministry will block NOCs for several important transactions.
Services Affected by NOC Denial
- Renewal of vehicle registration
- Renewal of insurance policies
- Change of ownership procedures
- Transfer of vehicle documents
- Issuance of fitness certificates
This notification arrives just one month before a major change. The government plans to roll out Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling. This system is also known as barrierless tolling.
Barrierless Tolling Implementation
Barrierless tolling will start on about half a dozen national highway stretches. The ministry issued the notification earlier this week. It aims to prepare for this new digital system.
Work on MLFF projects is progressing rapidly at several locations. These include Manoharpur and Shahjahanpur on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. Chorasi on the Surat-Vadodara stretch of NH-48 is another site. Gharonda on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway is also advancing.
How Barrierless Tolling Works
On MLFF stretches, drivers will not encounter physical barriers. Vehicles will pass through freely. Electronic systems will record their passage and charge tolls automatically.
The changes to Central Motor Vehicles Rules have a clear purpose. They will boost digital collection of toll fees. More importantly, they will ensure no one avoids paying tolls under the new system.
Definition of Unpaid User Fee
The notification provides a specific definition for unpaid user fees. It refers to fees payable by a vehicle for using a national highway section. The electronic toll collection system must have recorded the vehicle's passage. However, the system must not have received the applicable user fee.
Any such unpaid fees will link directly to NOCs for vehicle services. This connection creates a strong enforcement mechanism.
Dispute Resolution Mechanism
Officials have addressed potential concerns about disputes. They announced that a portal will launch soon. This portal will allow people to raise complaints and settle disagreements.
An official emphasized that there will be ample opportunity for settlement. Authorities will provide enough scope for resolving issues before taking action. Blocking the NOC will not be the first step in case of disputes.
The ministry's move represents a significant shift in toll collection enforcement. It aligns with India's push towards digital infrastructure and smoother highway travel. Vehicle owners should ensure their toll payments are up to date to avoid service disruptions.
