FASTags mandatory from Dec 1: Everything to know from activation to recharge

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced last month that FASTag will become mandatory for all vehicles effective December 1, 2019, after which vehicles running without the FASTag will be charged twice the normal rate at the toll gates.

The FASTag needs to be affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle for toll collection. When the vehicle passes through an NETC-supported gate or ETC lane on a toll plaza, the transaction occurs while the vehicle is in motion.

FASTags can be availed at selected bank branches or online via an e-commerce platform like Amazon and Paytm. The tags, which are bought onlin are needed to be activated using the vehicle details.

If you link your FASTag to your bank account, you only need to ensure that there is enough amount in your account. There is no need to recharge the FASTag. However, if you decide to link the FASTag to a prepaid wallet, you will have to keep the wallet balance maintained or else the payment at an ETC gate will fail.

Users have the option to load the amount in this wallet using options like Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, and UPI. There is also an option to select payment apps like Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, My Airtel and more at the payment screen. Select any mode of payment and add money into your FASTag account.