Deadline approaching: No vehicles to cross toll booths without FASTags from February 15
Pune, February 8, 2021: The Central government had made it mandatory for all vehicles to use FASTags to pass toll plazas across the nation since January 1, 2021. However, the deadline for the same was extended to February 15.
The deadline is soon approaching, and vehicle owners not possessing FASTags might face troubles during their journey as they will not be allowed to cross the toll booths.
Cash payments or any other payment methods will not be accepted at toll booths from January 1, 2021, according to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Currently, FASTags contribute 75 to 80 per cent of shares to the total toll payments, as per NHAI. The government aims to increase this to 100 per cent. Hence, it will not extend the deadline to get FASTags beyond February 15, 2021.
The FASTags have been issued by multiple banks, including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Bank, Paytm Payments Bank, and IDFC First Bank, among others.
What is FASTag?
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings accounts linked to it directly to the toll owners.