The FASTag is an easy-to-use, reloadable tag meant to promote cashless payments of toll tax at the plazas across the Indian National Highway. The FASTag allows the drivers of four-wheelers to pass through the toll booth without having to stop and/or make cash payments. This helps them save a lot of time, fuel and keeps them away from the burden of carrying cash, among multiple other benefits of having a FASTag.
FASTag makes use of RFID (Radio Frequency) technology to enable a seamless travel experience for the drivers of all four-wheeled vehicles through the Indian National Highway. Using FASTag offers multiple benefits, such as it saves a lot of time and effort for the user by eliminating long queues at toll plazas. Additionally, travellers can use a single wallet for tolls, fuel expenses, vehicle parking expenses, or shopping, etc. while also making the benefit of various offers and discounts by recharging their FASTag on mobile applications like Paytm. On top of this, the use of FASTag is also beneficial for the environment as it reduces the use of paper and fuel.
The FASTag is linked to the user’s prepaid account and is then fixed to the windscreen of his/her vehicle. As the user passes through the toll gate, the toll amount is automatically debited from the user’s prepaid account. The user will be informed of the charges and provide an automated grievance redressal mechanism on the Paytm app itself.
Canara FASTag Recharge on Paytm
Follow these simple steps to recharge your Canara Bank FASTag on Paytm:
- Open the Paytm mobile application
- You can either-
- Select the ‘FASTag Recharge’ option on the homepage; or
- Search for the ‘FASTag recharge’ option
- Select ‘Canara Bank’, which is your FASTag issuer bank
- Enter your vehicle registration number
- Click on the ‘Proceed’ option and enter the amount that you wish to recharge for
- Select the mode of payment out of Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, Paytm UPI
Why is FASTag Mandatory?
If you own a four-wheeler and don’t have a FASTag yet, then you should be prepared to pay double the toll tax at every toll plaza that you cross on the Indian national highway. Since 16 February 2021, the Indian government has made it mandatory for all four-wheeled vehicles to have a FASTag stuck to their windshield. This was done to promote fee payment through digital means, reduce waiting time for travellers, lower fuel consumption, and offer a seamless passage across the national highway in the country.
The road transport and highway ministry stated that all the lanes in the toll plazas shall be declared as ‘FASTag lane of the toll plaza’ with effect from midnight of 15-16 February 2021. After the said date, any vehicle that enters the FASTag lane without a FASTag or with an invalid FASTag will be liable to pay twice the applicable fee at the toll plaza.
If you still don’t have a FASTag for your four-wheeler, then here’s how to register for a FASTag for your vehicle.
