FASTag is basically Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology passive tag. This tag has been designed so that the vehicle owners are able to make the toll payments directly from their account while the vehicle is in motion. So, in short the vehicle does not have to stop to make any kind of payment. This tag has been made compulsory by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for all the vehicles (private and commercial) with effect from 1st December 2019. This tag will be put on the windscreen of every vehicle
The benefit of the FASTags
The prime aim of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is to make better the present day National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) ecosystem. The objective is to turn the existing single party model into a four party scalable model comprising of Issuer, Acquirer, NPCI and the Plaza Operator. Now, this system comes up as a relief to the drivers who are stuck in long queues at the toll gates. This is also beneficial to the toll operators who most of the time have problem providing the exact change. Now with FASTag the Government of India has electronic toll collection booths set up across the length and breadth of the country and this problem has come to an end. Once the tags are put on to the vehicles, there is no need for the customers to carry any cash for transaction purpose at toll plazas. This service thus intends to save lot of time and will make easy seamless movement of cars. This will also lower fuel consumption and as a result vehicular pollution level will fall. Toll plazas are usually toying with bottlenecks so this problem will also be solved.
How the FASTag works?
Step 1: Whenever any vehicle will pass via the Electronic Toll Collection lane of Toll Plaza, the Toll Plaza system will get hold of the FASTag details such as the Tag ID, Class of the vehicle class and TID. All these details will be sent to the acquiring bank for purpose of processing.
Step 2: Now the acquiring bank will forward a request to National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Mapper. This is done to validate tag details.
Step 3: After validation of Tag ID, NETC Mapper will respond with the details such as Tag Status, VRN, Vehicle class, etc. Now if Tag ID isn’t there with NETC Mapper, the response will be Tag ID not registered.
Step 4: The acquirer bank will come up with appropriate toll fare and then initiate the debit request to the NETC system. This is done after validation of the Tag ID by the NETC Mapper.
Step 5: The next step encompasses switching of the debit request by NETC system to the respective issuer bank. This is done so that account of customer gets debited with requisite amount.
Step 6: The account of linked tag holder will be debited by the issuer and an SMS alert will be sent so that the tag holder gets to know. A message with also be sent to the NETC system by the issuer host. In case the response is not sent within the set TAT, transaction will be regarded as Deemed Accepted.
Step 7: Response will be notified by NETC system to acquirer host.
Step 8: Finally, the acquirer host will inform the respective toll plaza system about the same.
How to use the FASTags?
Once the tag has been received for any vehicle, the tag has needs to be opened and then placed in the center of windscreen of a vehicle for purpose of easy reading. The scanner is put at center of the roof at the toll plaza.
How to purchase the FASTags?
FASTags can be bought via the authorized banks like HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Syndicate Bank, IDFC Bank, SBI and ICICI Bank. These are also available at RTOs, Paytm, toll plazas, Common Service Centre, transport hubs and at few fixed petrol stations.
Cost of the FASTags
In case if you wish to procure the FASTags by means of PayTM, then the amount you have to pay is only INR100. There is a security deposit of INR 250 and a threshold amount of INR150. So, this means the total amount is INR 500 each time you travel. In the case you purchase the tags via banks then you have to pay INR.100 as the cost of FASTag, the security deposit is INR 200 and INR.100-200 is the threshold amount, this takes the total between INR.400 to 500.
What documents are required for the FASTag?
This is basically how you procure your FASTags. PayTM necessitates the owner to upload vehicle RC documents online. In case of banks and toll plazas several documents are needed. In case the vehicle is registered in name of owner, then he/ she has to furnish vehicle registration certificate, KYC documents and passport size photo. In case vehicle is registered under corporate name then proprietorship deed, PAN card of firm, and photo ID of the signing authority is required.
How do you recharge the FASTag?
FASTags can easily be recharged by means of your net banking system. You can even use your debit/credit cards to recharge it. NEFT or RTGS can also be used to recharge the FASTag. You will have to enter the details of your vehicle on to FASTag mobile app. The FASTag has validity of five years. The minimum amount of the recharge is INR.100 while the maximum amount for which you can recharge is INR 1 lakhs. In case if you have not completed your KYC you will not be able to recharge the FASTag account with more than INR.10,000ust bear in mind that one FASTag is valid only for one vehicle. This means that you cannot use a FASTag for more than one vehicle.
As the FASTags have become mandatory from 1st December 2019 in case you do not install it till then the FASTags will be charged at double the rate at the toll plazas. So, do not waste precious time, install the FASTag on your vehicle without any delay.