• Source:JND
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FASTag New Rules 2024: Union Minister For Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in December announced that the government is planning to replace the existing FASTag Toll Collection System with a new GPS-based system from March 2024, which will connect your car with regulatory authorities and charge money as per your travel history. This came three years after the government mandated FASTag on four-wheelers. Currently, the FASTag system is being used in all four-wheelers across the country and vehicles without FASTags are being charged twice the original fee on passing a toll plaza.

What Is The New GPS-based System For Toll Collection?

The NHAI is planning to bring a GPS-based toll collection system. With the GPS systems, drivers won't have to stop at toll plazas to pay their toll charges, instead, it will be deducted from the bank account of the vehicle owners using GPS technology. The upcoming GPS will synchronize the GPS coordinates of a vehicle in motion to determine the toll fee. As the vehicle nears a collection point, the toll fee will be deducted automatically.

To ensure the system functions smoothly, all vehicles need to be equipped with new number plates that can be tracked directly via satellites using GPS technology. ANPR cameras positioned on highways will identify the GPS-enabled number plates of drivers, facilitating automatic deduction of fees from their bank accounts.

What Are FASTag?

FASTag toll collection system uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for deducting toll fees. Under the existing FASTag system, vehicles are equipped with a chip-based sticker affixed to the windshield. When passing through a toll gate, a scanner reads the FASTag sticker and automatically deducts the toll amount. This system has significantly reduced waiting times at toll plazas compared to traditional cash or card payment methods.

What Happens If You Reach A Toll Plaza Without Installing FASTag On Your Vehicle?

Travelling without a FASTag on your vehicle from today onwards will take a heavy toll on your pocket. However, to ease the commuters, several agents from different banks, which are issuing the FASTags, are stationed at different toll plazas. Commuters can provide the required details to them and can install a FASTag on their vehicle.

How To Buy A FASTag?

The government has provided multiple options for commuters to get a FASTag on their vehicles. A person can get a FASTag at certain toll plazas across the country. You just have to provide your identification documents as well as the documents of your vehicle -- RC, Insurance, and Pollution certificate.

List Of Authorised Banks To Buy FASTags

Airtel Payments Bank, Allahabad Bank, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, Yes Bank, Union Bank of India, Thrissur District Co-operative Bank, South Indian Bank, Saraswat Bank, Nagpur Citizens Cooperative Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Karur Vyasya Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, IndusInd Bank, Indian Bank, IDFC First Bank, fino bank, Equitable Small Finance Bank, Cosmos Bank, City Union Bank, Central Bank of India, Canara Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, AU Small Finance Bank, Axis Bank.

How to install a FASTag?

First, you will have to attach the FASTag to the windscreen of your vehicle. For activation, you will have to visit the bank from where the FASTag has been issued. You can also activate it by the self-activation process. For this, you will have to download the 'My FASTag' app.