The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has strongly opposed the newly implemented FASTag regulations for toll payments, calling them an unjust financial burden on motorists.
In a statement, SDPI State President Nellai Mubarak criticized the changes, arguing that they amount to “double robbery.” He stated that while toll collection itself has long been a controversial issue, the latest modifications to the FASTag system further exploit vehicle owners.
According to the new rules, FASTag accounts must be recharged at least one hour before reaching a toll booth. If a recharge is done en route or near the toll plaza, it will not be accepted, and motorists will be charged double the toll fee. Mubarak condemned this policy, stating that it unfairly forces drivers to prepay, disproportionately affecting those traveling short distances or facing urgent travel needs.
Mubarak further criticized the overall toll system, arguing that citizens are already burdened with multiple taxes, including road tax when purchasing a vehicle. He stated that instead of addressing public demands to abolish toll fees, the government has now introduced additional restrictions that further burden commuters.
With rising costs due to GST and increasing toll rates, these new FASTag regulations will only add to the financial strain on the public, he said.
The SDPI has called for an immediate rollback of the new FASTag rules and the complete removal of toll booths, urging the government to end what they describe as an unjust system of forced payments from the people.