To avoid long queues and jams at national highways across the country, the government has implemented the FASTag facility, a cashless model wherein the entire toll tax amount is collected through the FASTag. Since 16th February 2021, all four-wheelers have to mandatorily get the tag fitted on their vehicles.
The FASTag is operated by 35different banks, which are governed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The FASTag facility eliminates the manual collection of the tax at toll plazas by using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
The idea is to facilitate electronic toll collection across the country, thereby saving people’s time and efforts in the long run. Now, let’s understand how you can track your FASTag once you have purchased it and for how long it is valid.
How to do FASTag Tracking?
When you make regular online payments, it might become difficult for you to track the amount and frequency of toll tax payments that you would have made. To keep track of such transactions, you need a FASTag statement.
To track your FASTag, you must download a FASTag statement that shows you the detailed list of transactions that you would have made across the toll plazas. The entire amount deducted from your linked prepaid wallet, such as Paytm, and the specific toll booth where the payment was made, along with the time when the amount was deducted will all be listed in the FASTag statement in detail.
You can follow these steps to see your FASTag statement-
- Open the Paytm App and click on the ‘Search’ icon
- Search for ‘Manage FASTag’ and press ‘Enter’
- Or, Locate the option to ‘Manage FASTag’ under the ‘Ticket Booking’ section on the home page
- On this screen, you will be able to see all your recent payments
- You can also click on the ‘Request Statement’ option to view your transactions for a longer period of time
Alternatively, you can also follow these steps to see your FASTag statement-
- Open the Paytm App and click on the ‘Wallet Passbook’ option
- Next, visit the ‘Payment History’ section to check all your recent toll transactions
How Much is FASTag Validity?
A FASTag comes with multiple benefits as it involves very simple processes of registration, activation, etc. Apart from many others, one of the major benefits of having a FASTag is that it has a long term validity of 5 years. This means that for a time period of 5 years, you can continue to use your FASTag for 5 continuous years, without having to re-register it.
Is FASTag Compulsory?
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, reduced waiting time for travelers, lesser 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. Additionally, before registering for a FASTag, you should take a look at the documents that you’d need to submit. The Government of India has instructed the National Highway Authority of India to convert all the toll lanes to FASTag lanes, thereby making the FASTag facility an omnipresent facility across all the Indian highways.
Bonus Read: How to Pay Using FASTag at Toll Plaza? Is FASTag mandatory?
How to Purchase FASTag?
You can apply for FASTag using the following ways-
Through Digital Payment Application
- Apply for your FASTag at any digital payment application such as Paytm Payments Bank
- Upload the required documents on the portal, as requested
- Make the payment for your FASTag
- Your FASTag will be delivered to your registered address in a few days
Through Banks
- Visit any bank that offers the FASTag facility and fill in the FASTag application form
- Submit the required documents, along with the form to the concerned official, as requested
- Make the payment for your FASTag
- Your FASTag will be delivered to your registered address in a few days
Through Toll Booth
- Visit any of the POS (Point of Sale) terminals located at various toll plazas
- Remember to carry all the required documents and their original copies when you visit a POS for verification of your FASTag application
- The issuing agency will then verify all your documents closely before accepting your application
- After the registration of your vehicle for FASTag, a representative from the concerned issuing agency will fix the FASTag on your vehicle’s windshield
At Select Shops ( Paytm banking correspondent network )
Paytm has tied up with select stores for its users to buy FASTag. All you have to do is follow these steps-
- Open the Paytm app on your mobile device
- From the ‘Search’ icon on the home page, search for ‘FASTag’ and press ‘Enter’
- Under the section ‘My Paytm FASTag’, click on ‘Buy from Nearby Store’
- Now, allow your device to access your location
- You will then be able to see a list of all nearby stores (along with their calling details and the distance) which allow the purchase of Paytm FASTag
- All you need to do is give your closest store a call and visit to get your Paytm FASTag
