In a bid to give a major fillip to digital payments and bring in enhanced transparency, the government has decided to implement National Electronic Toll Collection (FASTag) programme on pan India basis to remove bottlenecks on toll plazas and ensure seamless movement of traffic and collection of user fee as per the notified rates, using passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, according to an official statement.

According to the statement, National Electronic Toll Collection (FASTag) programme is an initiative of Ministry of Road Transport& Highways and NHAI on pan India basis to remove bottlenecks on toll plazas and ensure seamless movement of traffic and collection of user fee as per the notified rates. Under this programme, passive Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) technology will be used.

The Ministry had mandated to declare all lanes of fee plazas on National Highways as “FASTag lanes” by 1st December 2019, while provisioningone lane (in each direction) which would be kept as hybrid lane to accept FASTag and other modes of payment.

As the December deadline approaches, the decision has beentaken to start the trial run of the FASTag mandate at identified NH fee plazasfrom November 2019 onwards and progressively increasing to all tollplazas. 

Nodal Officers have been designated for each NH fee plazasto closely monitor implementation of FASTag mandate and the trail run and totake necessary measures to remove any bottlenecks identified. Nodal officersand Regional officers share the learning experience with others.

"Daily Video Conferences/ Review meetings are beingconducted by the Chairman, NHAI with all concerned ROs, and officials of NHAIHQ and IHMCL to review the preparedness of the 1st December mandate. Duringtrail run each vehicle without FASTag is being approached and apprised benefitsof it and are offered FASTag," the statement said.

To increase the awareness among common commuters, marketingand promotional activities are being carried out through various channels suchas national and local newspapers, magazines.

FASTag may be purchased from over 28,500 Point-of-Salelocations set up by various banks and IHMCL/NHAI which includes all NH feeplazas, RTOs, Common Service Centers, transport hubs, bank branches, selectedpetrol pumps, etc. For retail segment (car/jeep/van) FASTag may be purchaseonline on Amazon and by visiting websites of different member banks such asSBI, ICICI bank, Axis bank, Paytm Payment Banks, HDFC bank, IDFC First bank, etc,according to the statement.

The FASTag is also available at over 12,000 banks branchesof prominent private sector banks like ICICI bank, Axis bank, HDFC bank, etc.

For detail list of member banks, one can visitwww.ihmcl.com. To search for the nearest point-of-sale locations, one maydownload My FASTag App, or visit www.ihmcl.com or Call 1033 NH Helpline number.

For recharge facility, NHAI/IHMCL has developed UPI rechargefacility via My FASTag App. FASTag can also be recharged by visiting respectivebank’s portal through net-banking, credit/debit card, UPI and other popularmeans of payment, the statement added.