What is FASTag?
FASTag is an easy-to-use reloadable tag that enables automatic deduction of toll charges instead of paying cash at toll booths. Employing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, FASTag enables contactless toll collection. The toll charges are automatically deducted from the linked prepaid account by affixing a tag to the vehicle’s windshield.
The Government of India (GOI) has mandated all toll plazas on the national highways to make toll payments electronic. According to the GOI plans, FASTag will be made compulsory on other toll plazas subsequently. Following this mandate, all vehicles travelling through toll plazas will now have to mandatorily pay their toll charges using FASTag. Many parking places in the country are also implementing contactless toll payment through FASTag.
To reduce vehicular traffic and congestion on national highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) & Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) authorized the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to provide a contactless solution for toll collection. FASTag is a Government-led initiative that allows vehicles to pass through the toll booth hassle-free without stopping.
You can apply online to open a FASTag prepaid account in no-time. On approval, the bank issues unique RFID tags for your vehicle. All you need to do is affix the tag, add funds to the prepaid account, and you are ready to travel cashless across India’s national highways.
Using fastag has benefits as follows
FASTag is read by the tag reader at the plaza and the toll amount is deducted automatically, when the vehicle approaches the toll plaza. The vehicle with FASTag doesn’t need to stop at the toll plaza for the cash transaction
SMS alerts for transactions : Customer will receive SMS alerts on his/her registered mobile numbers for all the transactions done in his/her tag account
Online Recharge : FASTag online recharge can be done through, Credit Card/ Debit Card/ NEFT/ RTGS/ UPI or Internet Banking
No need to carry cash : Customer doesn’t need to worry about carrying cash for the toll payments
Web portal for customers : Customers can access their statements by logging on the FASTag portal
Avail of monthly pass online : Customers can avail of applicable monthly pass which is specific to each toll plaza
How to recharge FASTag
Below are some of the ways to recharge your FASTag:
Via Mobile Banking facility provided by your Bank
Most of the issuing Banks have the facility to recharge the Fastags purchased through them. Depending on the process set by your Bank in most of the cases you should be able to recharge by entering Vehicle no or Fastag id .
Via other UPI Applications
You can recharge your FASTag via UPI Apps like Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Phone Pe, Paytm or any other UPI Application. To complete the top-up, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Open any UPI Application.
Step 2: Select Pay by UPI ID and enter the VPA- Virtual Payment Address.
Step 3: Enter the pre-defined VPA (eg: netc.XX12XX1234@your_issuing_bank) for your FASTag Recharge.
Step 4: Follow the instructions for FASTag UPI recharge and complete the process.
Via Bank’s Website
Every Bank has provided a special portal to recharge Fastags . Customers can log in and get their Fastags recharged .
Via Financial Apps
Apps like Paytm and phonepe offer recharge facilities for all the fastags .
By visiting a nearby Branch of the issuing Bank
It is very important to mention that the customers of Fastag issuing Bank can visit the Branch and ask for Fastag to be recharged if they do not have a digital way to recharge their Wallets.
Steps for FASTag use:
Affix the tag on your vehicle
Remove the adhesive strip and put the tag carefully in the centre of your vehicle & front windshield (from inside just behind the rear view camera). Once the FASTag has been placed on the windshield, do not take it out as it may destroy the magnetic stripe. Do not use cello tape or other adhesives to the FASTag card
Maintain sufficient balance in your Prepaid Account
The applicable toll amount will be automatically deducted from your Prepaid Account.
To recharge FASTag, log in with your details.
Zip through toll plazas without stopping to pay cash