As part of our technology development, the government has implemented the law of mandatory FASTags in all the vehicles by December 15, 2019. If not, the toll amount has to be doubled while passing through the toll line.
WHAT IS FASTag?
It is an electronic device that is installed in the windshield of your vehicle, which helps you to pass through the toll plaza by automatic payment. No one has to wait in long queues and pay in the national highway tolls, just cross the toll gate your amount will be deducted through FASTAg which is connected to your bank account/prepaid wallet.
This device works in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which does not have any expiry dates but should be readable without any damage.
HOW AND WHERE TO BUY FASTag?
The FASTags are issued by 22 certified banks through various channels like Point of Sale (POS) at National Highway toll plazas and few selective bank branches. It is also available in e-commerce platforms like Amazon.
WAYS TO ACTIVATE FASTag
1. Self Activation
No FASTag is pre-assigned to any banks that are available in POS of bank branches and National Highways. One can purchase the tag and install the MY FASTag mobile app and link the tag to the bank as per the user’s wish. It is based on the DIY (Do It Yourself) concept, where the activation is self-made by entering the vehicle and bank details. The MY FASTag mobile app is compatible with both the android and apple stores.
No new bank account needs to be created for this purpose, you have got the flexibility to link your existing accounts. The National Highway Authority of India(NHAI) prepaid app is also available which is useful to load money whenever needed to the app, instead of directly deducting from a bank account.
2. Direct visiting the certified bank branch
FASTag activation can also be done by visiting the nearest certified bank branch with the submission of KYC(Know Your Customer) documents, Registration Certificate(RC) of the vehicle and application for FASTag to the bank.
Advantages
A lot of ideas have been running between the government and the authorities with the issuance of FASTAgs
- Reduce handling of cash by the authorities and the users
- Reduce the waiting time and rush in the toll plaza which can impact the level of pollution, congestion and fuel consumption.
To engage this digital payment mode, the ministry has decided to name all the fee plazas as FASTag lanes on National Highways from December 15, 2019.
With the above mentioned mandatory changes, average daily transactions processed through FASTag have increased from 8.8 lakh in July this year to 11.2 lakh transactions in November 2019.
A customer can use the toll-free number ‘1033’ for any help related to FASTag issues and also can reach out to the banks for the purchase of FASTags.
To sum up, all the car owners who have no idea about the new implementation of mandatory FASTags and those who really in need and just procrastinate the application and use of FASTag. It’s your time now to get into action and have FASTags for your cars to have a hassle-free, fast and safe long journeys.
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