South Delhi civic body issues 104 fines for not paying toll via RFID

NEW DELHI: Taking strict action against vehicle owners crossing entry points without paying toll via RFID system or not getting them recharged properly, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) issued notices to 672 vehicles last week. It has issued challans to over 100 of them in the past two days.
The concessionaire hired for collecting toll tax at 124 plazas only through the RFID system was also slapped with a fine of Rs 10 lakh for violating norms and continuing to collect tax in cash.“We have imposed the fine on the concessionaire for non-compliance with an order issued by the Supreme Court,” said a south corporation official.
All the 672 notices were given to the vehicle owners on spot in hard copy. SMSes were also forwarded on the registered mobile numbers of 572 vehicle owners, warning them to face strict action if lapses continued.
“But these warnings didn’t serve much purpose which is why we approached the transport department officials of Delhi and neighbouring states for help. We requested them to cancel the permits of 524 vehicles that failed to pay toll tax/ECC through the RFID system despite reminders,” said the official.
The enforcement teams have now started imposing a penalty of Rs 500 on all such erring vehicles. “In the past two days, we have penalised 104 vehicles. Since the whole system is being implemented on the direction of the apex court and EPCA had earlier given a nod for imposing challan of Rs 500, we are acting as per the court norms only. Unless we will impose challan and take strict action, it would be difficult to get the desired results,” the official stated.
SDMC had implemented the RFID system on the Supreme Court’s order for collecting toll tax and environment compensation cess from specified commercial vehicles while entering the national capital. After repeated warnings to get the RFID tag issued and get them recharged properly, the toll tax department stopped entry of specified commercial vehicles not following the norms on August 31.
“At seven toll points, collection is either done in cash or not happening due to farmers’ rally and missing power connection. We have asked the concessionaire to implement the RFID system at the remaining 117 toll plazas,” said the official.