Now Reading: NHAI bars FASTag entry checks at Delhi Airport arrival lane
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NHAI bars FASTag entry checks at Delhi Airport arrival lane
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed banks at the Delhi Airport to stop using FASTag to enforce entry restrictions at the terminal 3 arrival lane. The move follows complaints that vehicles without an active FASTag were being diverted to the Multi-Level Car Parking, causing many to exhaust the 8-minute free waiting time.
An NHAI official said FASTag is only a payment instrument for parking and cannot be used to enforce entry. The authority has asked IDFC Bank, which operates at the airport, and other banks to ensure the system is used only for payment. The official noted the restriction is inconvenient for Delhi-NCR residents who do not use toll plazas and may not have an active FASTag.
The 8-minute free waiting time at lane 3 was introduced in October 2024 to ease congestion. Parking beyond that costs Rs 250 for 9 to 13 minutes and Rs 500 for over 13 minutes.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The NHAI's directive separates payment from access, but the immediate effect at Delhi Airport depends on how quickly IDFC Bank and other operators reprogram the barrier system. The source leaves unclear whether the change applies to all terminals or only the arrival lane at terminal 3, and what happens to vehicles that still lack FASTag once the restriction is lifted. The official's suggestion to model the exit on Delhi Railway Station, where all vehicles enter and are charged by time at exit, points to a possible alternative, but no timeline for implementation is given. Watch for the airport's next announcement on entry procedures and whether the free 8-minute window remains the same.
The directive is a response to a specific grievance, but it does not address the underlying fee structure, which remains unchanged for those who stay beyond the free period.
Source: indianexpress.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
