Most of us like to go on long road trips. However, one of the worst things that diminish the fun of long road travels is waiting at a toll plaza with horns blaring from behind. Add to it the hassle of looking for the exact change, and it becomes a total mood spoiler!
The government has identified such problems that people face at toll plazas, and hence, has introduced a contactless payment system that lets you pay the toll amount within seconds.
What is FASTag?
FASTag is a contactless toll collection system that allows you to pay tolls on highways without stopping for physical cash transactions. FASTag is a reloadable tag or sticker, which is affixed on your car’s windscreen and is scanned using Radio Frequency Identification Technology. After the tag is scanned, the toll amount is deducted from your FASTag prepaid account.
With a FASTag, you can make cashless toll payments effortlessly. All you need to do is pass through the toll plaza and the scanner would automatically deduct the toll amount from your FASTag balance.
FASTag is supported and promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).
How to get FASTag?
You can purchase FASTag through official issuers and participating banks. It is also available at toll plazas and can be bought online from the websites or apps of participating banks.
FASTag has a validity of 5 years after it is issued. If your tag is linked to a prepaid wallet, you will need to top up the wallet, as and when you need. However, if it is linked to a savings account, the toll amount would be directly deducted from the account.
The one-time fee for a FASTag is Rs 200 while the refundable security deposit is Rs 200. Moreover, you should have at least Rs 100 in your FASTag wallet to keep it active. Some banks also charge an additional transaction fee for every recharge.
Benefits of FASTag
Ease of payment
With a FASTag, you no longer need to wait in a queue at a toll to collect or give change money. The payment is fast, easy, contactless, and cashless.
Time saver
A lot of time and effort is saved with a FASTag. With a FASTag, the toll is collected within seconds, which reduces the wait time for cars, thus saving time and fuel.
Convenient
FASTag is not only convenient for the vehicle owners but also the authorities. This electronic payment method would reduce human errors, simplify toll collection, reduce maintenance and operation cost.
Reduces traffic
A major cause of traffic jams at toll plazas is the slow toll payment process. With a FASTag, the contactless transaction reduces congestion and traffic jams.
Online alert
Whenever you pay at a toll through FASTag, you get an SMS alert informing you about the details of the payment. It helps you keep a tab on your expenses and the total amount paid at tolls.
Documents Needed for FASTag
To get a FASTag you will need the following documents:
- KYC documents like identity and address proof of the vehicle owner
- Registration documents of the vehicle owner
- Passport size photograph of the vehicle owner
For toll payments, FASTag has been made mandatory from February 15, 2021. If you do not have a FASTag on your vehicle, you will have to pay double the toll amount. Hence, if you still don’t have a FASTag, contact your bank and get one for yourself today.
