RFID Tagging For Commercial Vehicle Entering Delhi Ends Tonight, Brace Yourself For Traffic Snarls

New Delhi, August 23: The deadline for mandatory RFID tagging for commercial vehicles entering Delhi ends on midnight of August 23 (Friday). Therefore brace yourself for traffic jams and delays as there may be some last moment rush to meet the deadline. The concerned authorities had earlier made it clear that the deadlines for pre-registration of RFID tags and recharge of tags will not be extended beyond August 23. FASTags to Be Available at Selected Petrol Pumps From Monday: How Can They Save You From Long Toll-Booth Queue?

The demand for RFID tags soared in the last couple of weeks. After the deadline expires, non-RFID tag vehicles will be forced to pay twice the basic amount of Environment Compensation Charge (ECC). Under the RFID system, the need for manual collection of toll tax and ECC will go away, as the tax will be collected automatically by reading radio frequency-based identity tag.

The earlier deadline was August 16, but the transporters and transport unions had requested the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to "postpone the deadline for entry of commercial vehicles with RFID tags into Delhi".The EPCA considered the request and the last date was postponed.

In a statement, SDMC said, "From midnight of August 23, all commercial vehicles entering Delhi without RFID tags or lacking sufficient recharge amount will be bound to pay a penalty, i.e. twice the specified rates of ECC and MCD toll, during the first week, four times the specified rates during the second week, and six times the specified rates during the third week."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2019 11:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).