Ganga Expressway Toll-Free for 15 Days, Still FASTag Deducted? Know What To Do

Ganga Expressway: Despite the Ganga Expressway being announced as toll-free for 15 days in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, a toll collection incident has emerged. On May 1st, numerous drivers were charged toll fees via both cash and Fastag. Complaints regarding this, along with receipts and messages, are spreading on social media. The District Magistrate has taken a firm position on this issue.

What transpired in the recovery case?

Daharpur toll booth: Several vehicles were charged amounts up to Rs 215. One vehicle with a Delhi registration was charged as much as Rs 970.
Islamnagar-Bahjoi Road Toll Booth: A motorcyclist was halted and charged Rs 47. A video capturing this event is quickly going viral on social media.

Drivers claim that even though they were aware the toll was free, they were forcibly stopped and money was taken from them.

Expressway status

This 92-kilometer section of the Ganga Expressway was opened to traffic on April 29. Interchanges have been constructed at Ghatpuri, Vankota, and Daharpur along this route. Toll booths are operational at Vankota and Daharpur, while the Ghatpuri toll booth remains closed, yet vehicles continue to pass through.

Administration investigation and cleansing

The expressway underwent inspection on May 2 and 3. During this period, no vehicles were halted at the Vankota and Daharpur toll booths, nor were any Fastag charges applied. This indicates that the issue occurred solely on May 1.

The shift supervisor at the Daharpur toll booth initially mentioned a trial run, then stated that testing would continue for a while. Eventually, he acknowledged that if tolls were mistakenly collected, those affected would receive refunds.

District Magistrate’s strict stance

Badaun District Magistrate Avnish Rai made it clear that the expressway will remain entirely toll-free for the full 15 days. If tolls are being collected anywhere or money is being deducted from Fastags, it is illegal. He has issued strict orders to the relevant officials to ensure full adherence to the government directive.

How can you obtain a refund?

According to NHAI regulations, if your FASTag has been charged incorrectly for tolls, you can easily submit a complaint to reclaim your funds. Here’s how you can do it in a few simple steps:

• If you have recently traveled on the Ganga Expressway, start by checking the date, time, and transaction ID in your FASTag wallet or bank statement.
• If you notice an incorrect toll charge, promptly call the NHAI helpline at 1033. This helpline is available 24/7.
• Additionally, you can send an email to falsededuction@ihmcl.com.
• Make sure to keep all relevant evidence such as SMS messages, receipts, or app notifications to facilitate the verification process.
• Once you file your complaint, the investigation typically wraps up within 7 to 10 working days, and your money will be refunded.
• If you have been wrongly charged a toll even after the government directive, you can quickly file a complaint using these straightforward methods to get your money back.