FASTag, NHAI commences e-toll collection

Now you will no longer have to wait in long toll lines as NHAI’s FASTag initiative will allow users to seamlessly drive past dedicated lanes, courtesy e-payment of tolls

Over the years the quality and length of national highways across the country have improved by leaps and bounds. Of course, in order to recover costs, it has led to formation of numerous tolls across the national highway network of the country. And while we thoroughly enjoy our wide and extensive road network these days, it can be quite a pain sometimes to wait at badly managed or congested tolls that can leave you stranded in long lines for not just minutes but sometimes even hours when things are really bad.

Coming to the rescue now is the National Highway Authority of India as it commences its cashless payment mechanism for toll payers with its FASTag initiative that has been incorporated at 250 tolls across India. Starting April 25, FASTag will be available on sale at selected toll plazas on National highways as well as at designated branches or participating banks (ICICI bank and Axis bank in phase 1). The FASTag has a onetime fee of Rs. 200 and can be recharged in denominations of Rs. 100 up to a maximum limit of Rs. 1 lakh.

Vehicles fitted with FASTag will no longer have to wait at tolls as they will be able to ply on dedicated FASTag lanes at tolls. FASTag uses RFID to make e-payments at tolls seamlessly from online rechargeable pre-paid accounts of users with travelers having to do nothing at tolls. The pre-paid accounts can be recharged by cheque or done online via debit/credit cards, NEFT, RTGS or net banking. Making the system extremely easy and convenient for users.

During Phase II of the initiative, other banks and mobile wallet operators will also be brought on board to contribute and expand the initiative.

“Government has allowed NHAI to give 10 per cent cash back incentive on toll payments in financial year 2016-17 for FASTag users. The cash back amount for a particular month will be credited back to the FASTag account at the beginning of the next month,” said NHAI in a statement.

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