FASTag, the electronic toll plaza payment system, is being made compulsory for all vehicles in the country from today midnight, the Central Government said in a report on Sunday.
“Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry have concluded that all lanes in the fee plazas on National Highways shall be described as ‘FASTag lane of the fee plaza’ from midnight of 15th/16th February 2021,” the government’s Press Information Bureau said in a report.
Any vehicle not fitted with FASTag will have to pay double the fee for the category of the vehicle they are driving at electronic toll plazas across India.
“Any vehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicles without valid, operative FASTag entering into the FASTag lane of the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee relevant to that category,” the government said in a statement.
The government has defined that this has been done to additional promote fee payment by digital mode, reduce waiting time and fuel consumption, and provide for a seamless passage through the fee plazas.
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CHARGES FOR FASTAG
FASTag, simple to use, reloadable tag, which enables automated deduction of toll plaza charges and lets you move through without stopping for any cash transaction, has a one-time fee of ₹200, a Reissuance fee of ₹100, and a refundable security deposit of ₹200.
The MRP of Paytm FASTag is ₹500, which is inclusive of all taxes.
WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Those who will install FASTag in their vehicles will also have to furnish the original vehicle registration copy for the direction of tag issuance. After its issuance, the tag will get activated and ready for use within 24 to 48 business hours.
You also need to make sure to recharge your Paytm account or wallet a minimum of 30 minutes before driving through a toll plaza.
FASTAGS IN ‘M AND N’ CATEGORIES OF VEHICLES
The government had mandated the fitment of FASTag in “M and N” categories of motor vehicles with effect from 1 January 2021.
“M” category stands for a vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. And category “N” stands for a vehicle with four wheels used for carrying goods as well as passengers.
FASTags have also been made must for the registration of new four-wheeler vehicles in the country and are being fulfilled by the automakers or the dealerships.
The Centre had earlier extended the FASTag deadline for the vehicles in the country from 1 January 2021, to 15 February 2021. The Union Ministry of Road Trasport and Highways (MoRTH) had issued a notification in November last year, making FASTags mandatory for all vehicles from 1 January 2021.
