FASTag, Toll Plazas Electronic Toll Collection on National Highways

FASTag, Toll Plazas Electronic Toll Collection on National Highways || The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways made FASTag mandatory for all the vehicles that have to pay toll tax from December 1, 2019. In addition, nation-wide introduction of FASTag is also part of the National Electronic Toll Collection Programme which leads to get cashless toll collection, fast movement of vehicles across toll plazas and reduction in congestion. Similarly, the rollout of FASTags will limit to National Highways and select state highways in the initial stage with all state highways expected to follow suit by March 2020.

What is FASTag & How FASTag works ?

The main feature of FASTags is that it makes rechargeable tags for toll collection. Then, that enables automatic payment deduction from the FASTag. Consequently, they normally affix on the windscreen of your vehicle. Similarly, with the help of a FASTag, you will not have to stop your vehicle at any toll plazas to pay the toll. As soon as the vehicle crosses the toll plaza, the toll fee will deduct from the bank account/prepaid wallet linked to the FASTag affixed on the vehicle’s windscreen. In contrast, an activated FASTtag works on the basis of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Moreover, these FASTags don’t get expired. Finally, it means that they are used as long as they are readable at the toll plaza and not tampered.

Also read : Top 10 Car Logo Meaning 

Know how a FASTag works

• Firstly, when a vehicle will pass through the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) lane of the Toll Plaza. The Toll Plaza system will read the FASTag details like (Tag ID, Vehicle class, TID, etc.) and then send it for the processing to the acquiring bank.
• Secondly, acquiring bank will send a request to the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Mapper in order to validate the tag details.
• Thirdly, once the Tag ID is valid, NETC Mapper will react with details like Tag Status, Vehicle class, VRN etc. Then, if the Tag ID is not valid and not present in NETC Mapper, it will display as the Tag ID is not registered.
• After that, host will calculate the toll charge and initiate a debit request to NETC System after the successful validation of Tag ID from NETC Mapper.
• NETC System switch the debit request to the respective issuer bank for debiting the account of the customer.
• The host charge the linked tag holder account and send an SMS alert to the tag holder. The Issuer host will also send the reply message to the NETC mapper. If the response is not sent within the required TAT, the transaction will respond as Deemed Accepted.
• Next, NETC system will inform the response to the acquirer host.
• Lastly, acquirer host will inform to respective toll plaza system.

Benefits of using FASTag

The main aim of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is that it helps to develop the current National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) ecosystem into four parties scalable model (Issuer, Acquirer, NPCI & Plaza Operator).

In addition, these parties belong to the existing single-party model (Issuer & Acquirer combined) which is being operated currently.

Certified banks issuing FASTag

There are 22 certified banks which issue FASTags. You can purchase these tags online by visiting the bank’s website or the nearest branch.

Here is FASTag banks List that issue the tags:

How can you download FASTag ? And how to activate it?

Steps by Step Procedure for FASTag

1. Firstly, online shopping sites such as Amazon used to sell these tags. Then, android smartphone users can easily download and install the MYFASTag app from the Google Play Store/Apple Store.
2. Then, there is also an option to recharge prepaid wallets if a vehicle owner does not wish to link the tag to his/her bank account. After that, every time the money in the wallet gets used up, it can be recharged.
3. After that, the tag bought online totally based on the do-it-yourself concept where people can activate it by entering their vehicle details in the ‘MYFASTag’ mobile app.
4. Then, the NHAI prepaid wallet facility is also available in the app where one may load money directly instead of linking bank account with the tag.
5. Then, for buying FASTags from bank branches one has to submit an application requesting for the FASTag, KYC documents and registration certificate of your vehicle.
6. After that, for FASTag already linked to bank accounts, one has only to ensure there are necessary funds in the bank account. In case of prepaid wallet, one may recharge it in the mobile app or bank website through various modes of payments such as UPI/debit card/credit card/NEFT/Net Banking/IMPS.

What are the charges for FASTag ?

FASTag issued by certified banks can charge maximum of Rs 100 for each tag, which is fixed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). However, the actual tag issuing charges are defined by the bank and may vary from bank to bank. Read more

For instance, HDFC bank sells FASTag for car at Rs 400. The pricing includes the following:

• Charge Rs 100 for Tag issuance
• Rs 200 for Refundable Security Deposit
• Rs 100 for first recharge amount in wallet when the wallet is created.

ICICI bank sells FASTag for car at Rs 499.12 in the following manner:

• Charge Rs 99.12 for Tag issuance
• Rs 200 for Refundable Security Deposit
• Rs 200 for first recharge amount in wallet when the wallet is created.

The top up charge varies from bank to bank and this variations can be seen on their respective banks website.

Best FasTag Service Provider ?

What is the validity of FASTag ?

In contrast, it has an expiry date of 5 years and after buying it, you only have to recharge the FASTag as per your need.

FASTag blacklisting ?

If adequate balance is not maintained by the customer, the FASTag gets blacklisted at the toll plaza. In such a scenario if the customer travels through a toll plaza without recharging then he won’t be able to avail the NETC services and would be required to pay the toll fare through cash

Minimum balance for FASTag ?

Whether you buy it on Amazon or through a bank, FASTag comes at a one-time joining fee of ₹100, including taxes. Besides, you also need to maintain a refundable security deposit of ₹200 for car, jeep, van and a minimum balance of ₹100

Thank you for  Reading FASTag, Toll Plazas Electronic Toll Collection on National Highways

Image Source: Google images

Also read : Top 10 Car Logo Meaning