FASTag crosses 2 crore users landmark: National Highways Authority of India

FASTag is contributing to nearly 75 per cent of the total toll collection as of now

With the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways pushing national highways toll users to pay their user charges through electronic mode instead of cash, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Wednesday said the number of FASTag users in the country has crossed the two-crore landmark, registering a growth of 400% in a year.

FASTag uses Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) technology that provides users with a smooth and effortless cross over at toll plazas without waiting/halting. At toll plazas, the payment is made digitally through the FASTag linked to the bank wallet.

"FASTag users in the country have reached two crore historical landmark, registering a growth of 400% in a year. This has increased the total toll collection to Rs 92 crore per day, which is a substantial increase in the daily toll collection from Rs 70 crore per day, a year ago," NHAI said in a statement.

FASTag is contributing to nearly 75% of the total toll collection as of now.

"The government’s direction to move towards 100% digital transaction for payments at the toll plazas on national highways provided the required impetus for the FASTag adoption. The dedicated efforts of NHAI, receptive approach of Highways Users & Other stakeholders led to a stupendous increase in adoption of digital mode of transaction at the toll plazas," the NHAI said.

The ministry last week said it has made FASTags mandatory for all four-wheelers, including old vehicles from January 1, 2020.

As per the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the FASTag had been made mandatory for registration of new four-wheeled vehicles since December 1, 2017, and is being supplied by the vehicle manufacturers or their dealers.

"It had further been mandated that the renewal of fitness certificate will be done only after the fitment of FASTag for the transport vehicles. Further that for national permit vehicles the fitment of FASTag has been mandated since October 1, 2019," the statement said.

The government also said a valid FASTag is mandatory while getting new third party insurance through an amendment in FORM 51 (certificate of Insurance), wherein the details of FASTag ID shall be captured. This shall be applicable w.e.f. April 1, 2021.