FASTags to be offered for free from February 15-29

The government announced to offer FASTags free of cost for 15 days from February 15 to February 29. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to waive off the cost of FASTag of Rs 100 for the 15-days.

The ministry told vehicle owners could visit any authorised sale locations with a valid Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle to get FASTag for free of cost. The government makes this move to push in the digital collection of FASTags.

The NHAI FASTags can be bought from all NH fee plazas, RTOs, Common Service Centres, transport hubs, petrol pumps. Citizens can also call the helpline number, 1033 or download the My FASTag App.

The ministry mentioned the applicable security deposit and minimum balance for FASTag wallet would remain the same. Earlier also the NHAI announced free FASTags last year from November 22 to December 15 to encourage people to adopt FASTag.

What is FASTag?

A FASTag is a tag that you attach to the windshield of your car. This is Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) enabled and is linked to your vehicle registration. When you drive through any toll plaza, that has FASTag readers installed overhead. As your vehicle passes beneath them, the RFID code is detected, read, the required amount is deducted from the prepaid balance, and your journey through the toll plaza is authenticated. FASTag is simple to use and reloadable tag.

One can buy FASTags online as well, from Amazon and Paytm. User needs to pay a one-time charge of Rs 100 for activation of the account. For online recharges a convenience fee is also charged.