As a part of Digitalisation, India has introduced another scheme called FASTag. According to this, all the toll taxes will be made Digitally.
India is stepping towards One Tag concept across the country for paying toll taxes with a caption “One Nation, One Tag”. Step by step, the Modi government is introducing common programs all over India. One Nation One Tax was introduced in the name GST (Goods And Services Tax) and now FASTag.
FASTag will enable the vehicle owners to make quick toll gate taxes without waiting in long queues at tolls. The payments will be made automatically through FASTag as it is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). The National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) has introduced this RFID sticker.
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With the help of RFID sticker, the vehicle need not stop at the toll gate. Without stopping the vehicle, the RFID will be scanned at the toll gate and the payment will be done automatically. A sufficient amount needs to be loaded in FASTag for this purpose to be served.
Where to buy FASTag
FASTags are now available for sale at all Banks, petrol bunks Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil) and online stores like Paytm, Amazon. They are also available at Toll Plazas itself.
Cost and Validity of FASTag
The cost of RFID will vary from Rs.100 to Rs.500. The validity of the sticker will be for 5 years from the date of purchase.
How to buy FASTag
It is very easy to apply online. KYC documents like Vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC) and Vehicle Owner’s Identity proof (Licence, Aadhaar, PAN, etc) are needed to apply for FASTag.
How to Recharge FASTag
Recharge can be done through Bank, Online or at the Toll Plazas.
Penalty
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has declared FASTag as mandatory. Vehicles without FASTag will be levied penalty. There will be no cash payments at toll plazas from December 15, 2019. Earlier the date was set as December 1, 2019. But due to implementationa and other technical issues tha date has been extended.
Implementation
NHAI has to date sold nearly 66 lakh stickers and installed FASTag scanners in over 540 toll plazas across the country. Hence, the present hurdles at tolls can now be eliminated. The hassle-free journey will also facilitate better toll management.