FASTag Deadline Pushed To December 15

FASTags will be mandatory for pan-India toll payments soon

• December 1 deadline has been pushed by two weeks.
• FASTag is device that uses RFID technology to pay tolls electronically.
• The government has set up ETC booths on National Highways across the country.
• Hybrid cash payment lanes will be open for a limited time post implementation.
• Any car entering the ETC lane without a FASTag will have to pay double the toll amount as penalty.

The FASTag payment system was supposed to be implemented across India today, but the government has extended the December 1 deadline by two weeks to give people sufficient time for the transition.

The FASTag payment system will now come into effect from December 15. The government has already set up Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) booths on National Highways across the country. The toll plazas will run a hybrid lane for cash transactions, albeit only for a limited period post implementation. 

It is important to note that one FASTag is valid only for one vehicle. Hence, you need to get multiple in case you own more than one vehicle. These are issued by 22 certified banks through channels such as select bank branches and even from point-of-sale locations at National Highway toll plazas. 

You can also get them from online retailers Amazon and PayTM -- with varying costs including one-time charge and the costs for the FASTags depending on the issuer. You can top-up the FASTag prepaid wallet in through internet banking, credit/debit card, cheque and other digital wallet services. 

A FASTag is basically a device that uses RFID technology to pay tolls electronically. We recently compiled a step-by-step guide for your convenience.

If you haven’t already, we suggest you get a FASTag for your vehicle as soon as possible to avoid the penalty of double the toll amount in case you enter the ETC lane without one.