Highlights:
- From today midnight, the FASTags are mandatory for all four-wheeled vehicles who enter FASTag lane of fee plaza
- Any vehicle not fitted with a FASTag or a vehicle without valid, working FASTag will be charged at electronic toll booths twice the fee
- The government has clarified that this has been done to promote fee payment through digital mode, reduce waiting time for a seamless passage through the fee plazas
From today midnight, FASTag, the automatic toll plaza payment system, is mandatory for all four-wheeled vehicles in the country, the Central Government said in a statement on Sunday.
The government’s Press Information Bureau said in a statement, “The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has agreed that from midnight on 15/16 February 2021 all lanes in the fee plazas on National Highways shall be designated as FASTag lane of the fee plaza.”
For the category of vehicle, they are driving at electronic toll places across India, any vehicle not equipped with FASTag would have to pay twice the fee.
The government stated in a statement, “Any vehicle not equipped with a FASTag or a vehicle not equipped with a valid, working FASTag entering the Fee Plaza FASTag lane shall pay a fee equivalent to twice the fee applicable to that category.”
The government has clarified that this has been done through digital mode to further encourage fee payment, minimize waiting time and fuel consumption, and ensure a smooth passage through the fee plazas.
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FASTag Charges:
FASTag, an easy to use, reloadable tag that allows you to automatically deduct toll plaza fees and allows you to 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.
(Note: Security deposits can vary depending on the type of vehicle.)
The MRP of Paytm FASTag is approximately 500, which includes all taxes.
What are the documents required?
For the purpose of tag issuance, anyone who will mount FASTag in their vehicles will also have to provide the original vehicle registration copy. After its issuance, within 24 to 48 business hours, the tag will be activated and ready for use.
You must also make sure that your Paytm account or wallet is recharged at least 30 minutes before going through a toll plaza.
FASTags in ‘M and N’ categories of vehicles:
With effect from 1 January 2021, the government mandated the fitting of the FASTag in the ‘M and N’ categories of motor vehicles.
‘Category M’ implies a vehicle with a minimum of four wheels used to transport passengers. And the “N” type stands for a four-wheeled vehicle used to transport both goods and passengers.
FASTags have also been made mandatory for the country’s registration of new four-wheeler vehicles and are supplied by auto makers or dealerships.
The FASTag deadline for vehicles inside the country was previously extended by the Centre from 1 January 2021 to 15 February 2021. In November last year, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) released a notification mandating FASTags for all vehicles from 1 January 2021.
