FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). It employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it or directly toll owner.
Higher officials of the Ministry of the Department of National Highways have undertaken full-fledged efforts to adopt the ‘FASTag’ system in all the tollgates in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The central Minister for Transport and Highways, C. V. Gadkari had announced recently that the FASTag stickers must be stuck on all vehicles before the end of December.
Subsequently, the implementation of adopting FASTag system is in full swing in all the tollgates.
There are 46 tollgates in the National Highways in the state of Tamil Nadu and tollgate charges are being collected here.
Earlier, the toll charges were collected by cash, credit cards, Paytm, etc. Later, the new FASTag system has been implemented in most tollgates.
Special pathways were provided for the vehicles with FASTag system to pas the tollgate. This FASTag sticker should be stuck in the mirror of the 4-wheelers.
In the FASTag system, there is a set-up known as ‘RFID’ which contains all details pertaining to the vehicle. Through this, even as the vehicle with FASTag crosses the tollgate, the news will be registered and the payment taken from the concerned bank accounts.
To facilitate this, the bank savings account must be linked to FASTag. With this, several positive aspects such as a reduction in the waiting time in the tollgates, no problem of cash change and no unwanted arguments with the tollgate staff!
This FASTag sticker can be obtained by submitting the details of Vehicle registration Book, Driving Licence, and Passport-size photograph at certain tollgates. However, KYC is mandatory for this. FASTag can also, be obtained online entering the concerned websites or even through the banks.
By resorting to the bank for obtaining FASTag, the link of the bank savings account with the FASTag is easily and quickly accomplished. Please note, different banks charge different rates for this service.
Some salespersons offer some special discount for this as well! As per the data provided by the government, 53 Lakhs FASTag cards/stickers have been sold so far!
A higher official from the Department of Transport shared regarding this:
‘This FASTag system is already in operation in some tollgates in Tamil Nadu. FASTag will be implemented in all tollgates by end of December. The special equipment set up in the tollgate will identify the details of the vehicle with FASTag even as it approaches the tollgate in a fraction of a second! Immediately, the charges will be taken from the linked bank account. Subsequent to the payment, the block-gate will open automatically.
The drivers using the FASTag system must drive at a speed of 10 kmph just a little distance to the tollgate.
Thus, with the usage of FASTag system, the driver can extricate from the traffic congestion problems and rive free!