FASTag toll collections rises 21% in June, as compared to May, to Rs 2,576.28 crore

As the Indian economy opened up in June and state government's eased the restrictions surrounding lockdowns, in the wake of the number of COVID-19 falling in the country, toll collections through FASTag rose 21 percent in June when compared to May and came in at Rs 2,576.28 crores, officials from the National Highways Authority of India told Moneycontrol.

The number of FASTag toll transactions also rose to 15.786 crore in June from 11.65 crore in May.

However, toll collections through FASTag in June were still lower than the Rs 2,776.90 crore witnessed in April and Rs 3,086.32 crore seen in March. Similarly, the total number of FASTag toll transactions were also lower in June as compared to the 16.433 crore seen in April and 19.321 crore transactions seen in March.

According to the Indian Foundation of Transport Research & Training (IFTRT), due to the Indian economy opening up in June truck fleet utilisation has jumped up to 75 percent in June as compared to 65 percent in May.

According to SP Singh, senior fellow, IFTRT, on all 75 trunk routes tracked by IFTRT across India the net recovery to fleet owners in June was significantly higher as compared to May, due to higher rentals tariffs and an increase in round trips.