From December 1, FASTag Mandatory For Toll Payments!

In a bid to decongest long queues outside Toll Nakas, the Government of India is introducing a unique modern technology called FASTag – the latest device that automatically makes your toll payments directly from the prepaid account, thus avoiding the tedious waiting in long queues to make toll payments!!

From December 1, 2019, FASTag will be made mandatory for all vehicles passing through the Toll Nakas of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It may be noted the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, had proposed the idea in October and from December the concept would be implemented in reality.

According to the new rules of Toll Nakas, vehicles with FASTag need not stand in a queue as the toll will be directly deducted from the pre-paid account or any digital payment system like Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, etc. or directly from the bank account. The new electronic system of FASTag uses ‘Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for deducting money. Motorists with FASTag will have an exclusive hybrid lane to pass at the Toll Nakas.

Advantage of FASTag
The biggest advantage of FASTag is that it will decongest the massive rush at Toll Nakas.

Secondly, as FASTag motorists are permitted to drive away without waiting, hence the smoke emitted by their cars will be eliminated.
Third, and the most important, the government will get a cashless transaction. This will reduce the number of employees required to collect toll, count money and maintain the records!!

The government will get the digital number of all the cars which can be helpful in hunting down cars in case of a crime or if any car goes missing.

Motorists, too, can keep a track of the Toll Naka expenditure due to digital transactions.
If the RFID scanner is non-functional, then motorists need not pay the Toll amount.
A scheme of 10% Cashback is being made available on all Toll payments using FASTag

How does FASTag work?
Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) technology, FASTag is affixed on the windscreen of vehicles. No sooner a vehicle with FASTag enters the Toll Naka, the RFID Scanner at the Toll Naka senses the radiation and automatically deducts the toll fees from the prepaid or bank account. Drivers do not have to stop their vehicle to make transactions as the toll collection will be done electronically under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program. Soon after payment, you will get the message on your mobile.

What is the validity of FASTag?
Every FASTag carries the validity of five years. After purchasing, you have to keep re-charging the amount, but after 5 years the validly is over and a new FASTag has to be made.

What are the documents necessary for FASTag?
To get your FASTag, the essential documents are:
Registration Certificate of your vehicle
Your Passport size photograph
KYC documents such as PAN card, Adhaar card, Voter ID.

How to buy FASTag?
FASTag can be bought either online or offline. It can be bought online on Amazon e-Commerce as also various member banks like SBI, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Paytm Payment Bank, HDFC Bank, IDFC First Bank, among others. Besides, IHMCL has set up service centres, transport centres, bank branches, selected petrol pumps, etc. Airtel Payments offers an Rs. 50/- Cashback offer.

What is the penalty for breaking the FASTag rule?
If any vehicle enters the FASTag Lane without FASTag on the National Highway Toll Plaza, it will have to pay double the fee applicable for that category of vehicle.

Can a single FASTag be used for multiple vehicles?
No! For every new vehicle, a new FASTag is essential.

Leave a comment

5 + 3 =