All you need to know about FASTag

As we all know that after 15th December 2019, FASTag will be mandatory at all the highway tolls to pay your toll fees. FASTags are obviously for people's convenience but still many of us are having some queries and trouble for the installation and execution of FASTag.

National Highway Authority of India has initiated this program which is called Electronic Toll Collection. FASTag is a device that uses Radio frequency identification technology which enables it to directly make a payment from the prepaid account linked with your FASTag.

 Now there are plenty of benefits of using FASTag like:

- There will be no need to carry cash, which also saves you from the hassle of getting change at toll booths.

- You will not have to stand in the long queue waiting for your turn to pay the toll.

- You can recharge your FASTag from all the different platforms like Debit card, Credit card, Net Banking, NEFT, RTGS, anything.

- You will receive SMS alerts for each transaction so no need to carry and collect those little toll tickets.

- This will be beneficial for the environment as well, due to less consumption of fuel and paper.

Despite all these benefits, people are still facing difficulties and queries regarding FASTag. Let's try to answer some common questions which most of the people are having.

Where to get your FASTag?

Banks and PayTM are the most common place from where you can get your FASTags. Either you can visit the bank in person or you can also apply online on any of your certified bank web site. I applied for it from Axis Bank website and it took 12 days to arrive. So personally I recommend you to visit the bank or you can also get from Toll plazas.

Amazon is also selling FASTags, a quick link to that is here:  https://amzn.to/2SuGDSM

What is the price of FASTag?

If you are buying it from any bank, you'll have to pay Rs.200/- as a one time fee. But if you are ordering it from Amazon or PayTM you'll have to pay around Rs. 500/- for the same.

How apply the FASTag on windshield?

In the envelope, you'll get a how to guide and the tag itself. Before applying it on the windshield, make sure that it is completely clean from dust. Then remove the sticker from the tag and stick the sticky adhesive side of tag on the windshield from inside your car just behind the rear view mirror. Do not try to remove it and relocate it, once it is already applied. Doing so will spoil the tag and it will become useless. If you receive the tag torn or worn send it back and do not accept it.

How do I recharge my FASTag?

If you are using an Android smart phone, there is an app available on Play store called FASTag India. By downloading this app, you can easily recharge your FASTag. But unfortunately this app is not available on apple store yet. Another way is to recharge from your bank ETC  portal, you can simply go to bank site and recharge your tag online. For offline recharge, you can visit the POS (point of sell) location at toll plaza and get it done offline by paying in person.

How the toll fees will be deducted for return ticket?

Whenever you are entering the toll way, your money will be deducted based on when and where you are exiting the toll way. Suppose toll fee from Point A to Point B is Rs.50/- for the single way and for return ticket it is Rs.65/-. So when you are doing single journey, Rs.50/- will be deducted and if you are coming return on that way again within 24 hrs, only difference amount of Rs.15/- will be deducted as a return toll ticket.