Indian Government Extends Mandatory FASTags Deadline to December 15

The Indian transport ministry’s decision to mandate the usage of FASTag by December 1, 2019, created a buzz in the country but among the recent updates we found out that the deadline for the same has been extended by two weeks and now the deadline has been set as December 15, 2019. Such a decision has been taken at the government’s end in order to provide vehicle owners with a breather before the actual enforcement of the law.

Speaking of FASTag, it is a passive device that contains a distinctive number that uses RFID technology through which you are able to make payments directly while the vehicle is still in motion. The sticker works on the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. The enforcement of such a law is beneficial as it helps you resolve issues which include complete halt at the turnpike for cash hence commuters can save time, also the expedition on toll saves fuel which in the end causes less pollution. Apart from that, it will also promote digitalisation, reduce cash handling and will increase transparency.

If you are wondering how this works, the FASTag is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle that allows the vehicle owner to pay the toll charges directly from the account that has been linked to the FASTag. Another advantage of the FASTag is that there is no expiry date and it can be used as long as it can be read at the toll plaza and isn’t tempered.

The implementation of the FASTag was initiated when a letter was sent to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the month of July in which the highway ministry had asked for the conversion of all toll lanes at all national highways to ‘FASTag lanes’ as this will benefit by making the travel through tolls seamless and will also remove congestion.

For the welfare of customers, the service provider will form a system to resolve customer complaints or queries online. It is also being taken care that the FASTag must be delivered within seven days of a customer placing the order.

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