Vehicle owners in India will now have to have a FASTag account to pass through toll plazas with the central government making it mandatory from February 15.
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system operated by the National Highway Authority of India. It is linked to a rechargeable pre-paid account from which toll charges are automatically deducted, enabling commuters to pass through toll plazas in a hassle free manner.
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The service employs radio-frequency identification technology and the tag is affixed on the windscreen of a vehicle after the FASTag wallet is activated.
The Union ministry of road transport and highways had issued a notification in November last year to make FASTags mandatory for all vehicles from January this year.
The deadline was however, extended from January 1 to February 15, a report stated.
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FASTags wallets will also be required for the registration of new four-wheelers as well as for obtaining new third party insurance for vehicles from April 1 this year.
Vehicle manufacturers and dealerships are currently providing the FASTag facility to their new customers.
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The central government has initiated the electronic payment of toll charges so as to avoid vehicular traffic in toll plazas across the country.
A person applying for a FASTag account will have to pay a one-time fee of Rs 200 followed by a reissuance fee of Rs 100.
He will also have to deposit a refundable deposit of Rs 200 or more depending on the type of vehicle he owes.
A FASTag account gets activated within 24 to 48 hours of its issuance.