The ministry of road transport and Highways has declared that it mandatory for all vehicles to have FASTag a fixed on windscreens of all four-wheelers.
In this article, we will learn about FASTag like what is FASTag and how does it work? Where and how vehicle owners can get these FASTags, what documents are necessary to get a FASTag together with many benefits of using a FASTag. Apply online for FASTag using SBI, HDFC, Axis, ICICI & Paytm.
Starting December first you will have to pay twice the toll amount for passing through FASTag lane on Toll Plaza on all national highways in case you do not have the FASTag on your vehicle.
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on 21st November 2019 that starting next month toll payment will be made only through FASTags under the national electronic toll collection program which is the flagship initiative of the ministry of road transport and Highways.
Use FASTag On Toll Plazas
Around 537 Toll Plazas have become hundred per cent electronic toll collection compliant. For FASTag promotion, the National Highways Authority of India has set up more than 2000 across the country where people can get RFID tags for free till 30th November 2019. NHAI is spending around 200 rupees for the FASTag program.
FASTag is presented as the perfect solution for a hassle-free trip on our national highways. FASTag is presently operational 880 Toll Plaza across National and State Highways. More Toll Plaza will be brought under the FASTag program in the near future.
What Is FASTag?
FASTag is Simple to use, a reloadable tag that enables automatic deduction of Toll charges and let one pass through the toll plaza without stopping for a cash transaction. FASTag is linked to a prepaid account from which be applicable toll amount will get deducted.
The FASTag employs radio frequency identification or RFID technology and its fix on the windscreen of the vehicle after the tag account is active. FASTag is also vehicle specific and once it is an affixed on a vehicle it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.
It can be purchased from any of the national electronic toll collection member banks. if a FASTag is linked to a prepaid account then it needs to be recharged as peruses of the customer.
If the adequate balance is not maintained by the customer the FASTag get blacklisted at Toll Plaza. in such a scenario if the customer Travels tour Toll Plaza without recharging then he or she won’t be able to avail NETC services and would be required to pay the toll fare using cash.
How To Purchase A FASTag?
One can buy a FASTag from select banks including SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank among others and also through the point of sale counter that National Highway Toll Plaza. since the FASTag is linked to an account KYC documentation would be required as per the KYC policy of the issuer bank.
Apart from the KYC documentation, one needs to submit the registration certificate for RC of the vehicle when applying for a FASTag. However, the FASTag is linked to a prepaid account then it can be issued as per the following limit.
Limited KYC FASTag account holder cannot have more than 20000 rupees in their FASTag prepaid account. The monthly reload limit is also capped at 20000 rupees.
All Banks Fast Tag Links
| ICICI Bank FASTag | Online Apply |
| SBI Bank FASTag | Online Apply |
| HDFC Bank FASTag | Online Apply |
| Paytm FASTag | Buy Online |
| Axis Bank FASTag | Buy Online |
The document required are minimum KYC details as for the Issuer Bank policy the vehicle RC copy, photo of the customer and limit prescribed by the RBI till 30th December 2019.
The full KYC FASTag account holder cannot have more than one lakh rupees in the FASTag prepaid account. There is no monthly reload cap on this account.
FASTags are part of the national electronic toll collection or NETC program developed by the national payments corporation of India.
According to NPCI, as many as 9.67 Lakh transactions were processed daily through FASTag across all Toll Plaza on national highways in India in September 2019. which is a total of 34% of all transactions done by vehicles commuting on national highways.
FASTags employed radio frequency identification or RFID technology to make toll payment directly while the vehicle is in motion. Although RFID technology has been in use since the Second World War the demand for RFID equipment is now increasing rapidly.
RFID tagging system includes the tag itself, a read/write device, a host system application for data collection, processing and transmission. There are two types of RFID tags – Active and Passive.
Tags containing their own power source known as active tags while Tags without power source known as passive tags. A Passive tag briefly activated by Radio Frequency (RF) scan of RFID reader. The Electrical current small, just enough for transmission of ID number.
RFID system consists of has three components – RFID tag, RFID reader, antenna. RFID tags contain an integrated circuit and antenna, which are used to transmit data to the RFID reader.
The Reader converts radio waves to a more usable form of data. Information collected from the tags then transferred through a communication interface to a host computer system where a data can be stored in a database and analysed at a later time.
FAST TAG FAQ
What are the benefits of using FASTag? What KYC documents are required to apply for FASTag for Corporate vehicles?
Customer will get Ease of payment option, No need to carry cash for toll payment, the option of online recharge, SMS alerts for toll transactions, Online portal for customer and validity of 5 years of FASTag card. In case of proprietorship: PAN Card, Address Proof, Shop Act or other Firm proof will be required of the proprietor. In the case of public limited and private limited Or partnership corporate PAN Card, Photo ID of the business owner, List of Directors, Certificate of Inc/ Partnership Deed, RC of firm will be needed.
What are the charges for FASTags? Is there a minimum value for recharge? Can a FASTag buy for one vehicle, be used for another vehicle?
FASTag has a one-time fee of Rs. 200. The refundable security deposit depends on vehicle type and its listed website of the issuer agency. The minimum recharge amount is Rs. 100. Separated Fastag issued for separate vehicles. FASTag issued to each vehicle based on KYC documents submitted. If a FASTag used for more than one vehicle, it will be blacklisted.
Can one vehicle use more than one FASTag? What can I do if the FASTag is lost? What will happen to the account balance?
It is strictly prohibited to purchase two FASTag for one vehicle. In the case of multiple FASTag, Customers are responsible for operational issues. In case of relocation to another city, FASTag will work on all enabled toll plazas. In case of a change in city or address, the customer needs to inform the issuer agency. In case of a car being sold or transferred, the issuer agency needs to be informed. Customer care of issuer agency has to be contacted to block a lost FASTag. Once a new account is allocated, the issuer agency will transfer the balance to a new account.
How can I block a FASTag account, in case of the lost vehicle? What do I do if the FASTag gets damaged? How can I know if the correct user fee has been deducted from a FASTag account?
The customer can call up customer care of issuer agency and block FASTag account. The vehicle owner could approach the issuer agency for FASTag replacement. The customer will receive an SMS alert each time an amount is deducted to their register mobile number. Fee payable on each toll plaza may be seen on NHAI official portal.
How do I report an incorrect deduction and get a refund? Can FASTag purchase earlier be used? On which highway/ roads FASTag can be used?
A customer can report the issue to issuer agency of FASTag, which will review the request and take action. Only RFID Tag purchased earlier can be used. FASTag presently operational at 520+ toll plazas across national highways. List of toll plazas/roads is available online.
How do I Get my FASTag checked/rectified to see whether it is active or not? What if the vehicle owner/user has a grievance?
A customer can raise a request by calling customer care of issuer bank or agency. They can also refer to steps under standards operation procedure for FASTag user. The primary point of contact is the issuer agency. Indian highways management company Ltd can be approached at the next level.
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