Centre proposes to make FASTag compulsory

The Centre is proposing to make FASTag compulsory for all commercial vehicles -- trucks, taxis and buses -- seeking a national permit.

FASTag, radio frequency identification device (RFID), automatically deduct toll charges from the chip embedded system mounted on the windshield of a vehicle when it crossed toll plazas on the country's highway network. The electronically operatable tag, which was rolled out in April 2016, is mounted on the windscreen of the vehicles.

At present all new cars and trucks have been fitted with FASTag from the factory itself since December 1, 2017.

By making mandatory installation of radio frequency tag commercial for old commercial vehicles, the government wanted to promote the usage of FASTag, said an official from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Though the use of these smart device in the toll booths of the highway is not mandatory, the government encourages the vehicle users to use this facility to smooth passage in toll booths. Those using FASTag will also get cash back facility, said the official.

According to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, around 25 lakh vehicles actively using in toll booths in the country. With the pressure from the Ministry, total 405 toll plazas out of 479 spread across the country have made at least one lane in their plazas for electronic passage where only tag mounted vehicles will be allowed and cash will not be accepted.

The Ministry also prevailed upon toll plazas managing companies to make more lanes for FASTag for smooth passage of vehicles instead of collecting cash from vehicle users.