New Delhi: Vehicle owners in India were on Sunday advised to adopt FASTag by February 15 midnight, or else be prepared to pay twice the applicable rate at toll plazas.
The deadline for implementation of the e-payment facility of toll fee was originally January 1, 2021. It was extended, but the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways announced on Sunday that there would be no further extension.
Clarifying that FASTag has been introduced to promote toll fee payment through digital mode, reduce waiting time and fuel consumption, and provide a seamless passage through the toll gates, the ministry said that all lanes in the fee plazas on National Highways shall be declared as ‘FASTag lane of the fee plaza’ from midnight of 15th/16th February 2021.
“Therefore, as per NH Fee Rules 2008, any vehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional FASTag entering into the FASTag lane of the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category,” the ministry stated.
How to buy FASTag online
FASTag is issued by 22 certified banks through Point-of-Sale (PoS) at National Highway toll plazas and select bank branches. They are also available on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Paytm Mall.
Charge of FASTag
Certified banks can charge a maximum of Rs 100 for each tag, as fixed by NPCI. A FASTag can be recharged using BHIM UPI also. Users can get 2.5 per cent cashback from NHAI on all toll payments done via FASTag.
Documents for availing concession
Those residing within 10 km from a toll plaza can avail of a concession on toll to be paid via FASTag. In such cases, documents like proof of residence at the bank, nearest POS location to validate residential address are needed.
Also Read: FAStag Mandatory From Feb 15, Says Nitin Gadkari
Also Read: FASTag Made Mandatory For Registration Of All 4-Wheelers
