There
are more than 6,000 FASTag lanes across India. FASTag was institutionalised in
2014 and further bolstered in the year 2016 with the introduction of National
Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) by NHAI. Since 2017, these instruments are
accepted pan India. In the current Financial Year, 25% of the total toll
revenue in India is on account of FASTags.
In
a recent announcement made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,
individuals need to possess a FASTag
for car to pass the concerned toll booths. In the event, an
individual is not carrying such an instrument they will be required to pay
double the toll fee as penalty through cash.
In
the event, an individual does not possess adequate balance to pay toll fee in
their FASTag-linked prepaid accounts, they will need to pay such fee through
cash. It also results in the card getting blacklisted at the respective toll
plaza, prohibiting such individual from availing any NETC benefits.
You
can purchase a FASTag online or offline from authorised financial institutions.
In order to get a FASTag, you need to make a maximum payment of Rs.200 to the
issuing financial institution.
1. Offline
purchase
There
are approximately 28,000 portals set up by such authorised institutions for offline
purchases. You can visit any of these portals to open a NETC account and avail
a FASTag.
You
must carry your original documents, driving license, and the registration
certificate of your vehicle to apply for a FASTag for a car.
2. Online
purchase
You
can apply online from any of the issuing institutions' official website or
mobile application. Recently Amazon was taken on board as an authorised
organisation to provide FAStags. You can apply through it or through other
issuing bodies’ online portals.
After
visiting any such website, follow the steps mentioned below to apply online for
a FASTag card –
Step1.
Search for “Apply for FASTag” or “Get FASTag” on the homepage.
Step2.
Provide your mobile number to generate a one-time password (OTP.)
Step3.
Enter such OTP in the designated field and click on “Submit.”
Step4.
Furnish your personal details which include your name, email
address, type of vehicle, registration number of your vehicle, etc.
Step5.
Attach documents pertinent to you and your vehicle and click on “Submit.”
Once
you have concluded filling the application form and uploaded necessary
documents, you will be taken to a payment gateway. After your payment is
successful, you will be provided with a payment receipt and a FASTag receipt on your device.
Once
you have availed such a card, you will need to activate it. To activate FASTag for your vehicle, you will need to download
its official app, which is available on both Android and Apple platforms.
In
the app, you need to provide your vehicular details for which you have bought
the card. Subsequently, you will be required to link it with one of your
existing savings account or with any other prepaid accounts such as mobile wallets.
You can also link it with NHAI wallet, which will be there in the app itself.
Once
your card is linked with the FASTag, it will
be activated. Thereon, toll fees will be deducted from such savings or prepaid
account when you pass a booth, without having to stop.
How to recharge a FASTag in India?
In
case it is linked with a savings account, there is no need to recharge your
card. Ensure such account possesses adequate balance to meet toll fees.
In
the case it is linked with a mobile wallet or NHAI wallet, you will need to
recharge such accounts through NEFT, Net banking, a credit card, or a debit
card.
When using FASTag for a car to pay toll fees, you are also
entitled to a certain discount up to a certain percentage of FASTag charges.
Additionally, this technology helps save time as well as fuel.
Apply for a FASTag sticker if you
are planning a road trip to Ladakh. Also, make sure you purchase a Leh Ladakh Road Trip Cover for comprehensive
financial protection against various mishaps.