The Indian government on Friday extended the deadline for rollout of electronic toll collection through FasTag on national highways to December 15. This would provide more time to citizens to buy FasTags on their vehicles. Earlier, the deadline was December 01. At a meeting charired by cabinet secretary Rajib Gauba, the NHAI representative underlined the need to give some more time to the system for maximum benefits.
What is FASTag?
The FASTag is like a sticker with a magnetic strip that will be at the top left corner of the vehicle’s windscreen that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). This will help the passenger and commercial vehicles to pass through the toll booths without halting for paying the toll tax.
The FASTag is like a sticker with a magnetic strip that will be at the top left corner of the vehicle’s windscreen that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). This will help the passenger and commercial vehicles to pass through the toll booths without halting for paying the toll tax.
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How FASTags can benefit you?
The first and foremost purpose of FASTag is reducing the travel time and making the toll collection process digital and more efficient. Not having FASTag in your vehicle will cost you up to twice the normal rate, as the Government of India has mandated.
The first and foremost purpose of FASTag is reducing the travel time and making the toll collection process digital and more efficient. Not having FASTag in your vehicle will cost you up to twice the normal rate, as the Government of India has mandated.
While both private and commercial vehicles will have to have the FASTags, commercial vehicles that travel a thousands of kilometres crossing different states and multiple toll plazas will be the real beneficiary, in terms of money and time. With this, the commercial vehicle operators, logistics providers will be able to save the fuel expenses and labour wage as well, which would help them to offer services at a competitive rate.
Where you can get FASTags?
FASTags are being issued by 22 certified banks in India via various channels like Point-of-Sale (POS) at National Highway toll plazas and select bank branches. Apart from that, it is also available on the e-commerce platform like Amazon.
FASTags are being issued by 22 certified banks in India via various channels like Point-of-Sale (POS) at National Highway toll plazas and select bank branches. Apart from that, it is also available on the e-commerce platform like Amazon.
Charges for FASTag.
The certified banks issuing FASTags can charge a maximum of Rs 100 for each tag, as mandated by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). However, with different banks offering different offers and discounts, the charges may vary from bank t o bank. The total cost includes tag issuance fees, refundable security deposit and first recharge amount.
The certified banks issuing FASTags can charge a maximum of Rs 100 for each tag, as mandated by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). However, with different banks offering different offers and discounts, the charges may vary from bank t o bank. The total cost includes tag issuance fees, refundable security deposit and first recharge amount.
According to BullEye Technologies, the transition to 100 per cent FASTag-based toll collection on national highways from 1st December could save up to Rs 12,000 crore worth of fuel and man-hours in India.
How to activate FASTags?
The customer can activate the Fastag by himself or herself or he or she can visit the certified bank branch.
The customer can activate the Fastag by himself or herself or he or she can visit the certified bank branch.
Self-activation: The FASTags come as bank-neutral, which means no bank is pre-assigned to the RFIDs at the time of purchase. It is based on the concept of Do-It-Yourself (DIY). First, you have to download the My FASTag app from Google Play Store or Apple Store. Then self activate the FASTag by entering the details in the app, where you can link it with anyone of your existing bank accounts.
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The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) prepaid wallet is also available in the app. The users can load the money there and get the toll fee deducted from there instead direct deduction from the bank account. Consumers can recharge the FASTag from digital wallet service provider Paytm as well.
Activate at a certified bank branch: The consumers can also buy and activate the FASTag by visiting the nearest certified bank branch. Also, they can get the FASTag linked with an existing bank account there. He or she has to submit the Know Your Customer (KYC) document during the activation process along with the registration certificate of the vehicle along with the application for the FASTag.