FASTag will help in decongesting the traffic at busy tolls and reduce the wait time significantly.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued new a notification that states FASTags will become compulsory for all four-wheelers from January 1, 2021. In a bid to promote digital payment for tolls on national highways, the government of India has proposed to make FASTags mandatory for all four-wheelers, including old vehicles sold before December 1, 2017.
The government already made FASTag compulsory for registration of new four-wheel vehicles since December 1, 2017, as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
What is FASTag?
FASTag is a prepaid tag that facilitates automatic payment of toll charges on all highways operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). FASTag sticker is Affixed on the windshield of the car. The radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based tag enables direct payment of toll charges from your prepaid or linked savings account and allows the vehicle to pass through the toll plaza without making a stop to buy toll.
Other MoRTH guidelines
MoRTH has also declared that it is now compulosry to buy a valid FASTag while getting new third party insurance through the amendment of FORM 51 (certificate of Insurance), wherein details of the FASTag ID will be captured. This will become applicable from April 1, 2021.
MoRTH has also mandated that renewal of car fitness certificate will only be done after the installation of FASTag. For national permit vehicles, FASTag has become mandatory since October 1, 2019.
The crucial step will ensure the payment of fees at toll booths via electronics mediums only. It will also help in reducing long queues at toll plazas during peak traffic times. Hence, significantly reducing the wait time.
FASTag can be bought through multiple channels including physical location and through online mediums.
