Government Launches 'FASTag' - the Electronic Toll Collection Programme

In a bid to cut down the travelling time on highways, the Government of India, yesterday, launched an electronic toll collection (ETC) programme. To be known as 'FASTag', it will allow people to pay their highway tolls electronically without needing to stop at the toll plazas.

"The unique number of the RFID Tag affixed on the wind shield of the vehicle will be read by the readers fitted in the dedicated 'ETC' lanes of plazas and appropriate amount as per the class of vehicle will be automatically deducted from the account of the user. The dedicated ETC lanes will have colour coding for distinct identity recognized as FASTag", the ministry said in a statement.

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The ministry also informed that it has roped in ICICI and Axis bank to provide Central Clearing House (CCH) services and RFID based FASTag through their franchises/agents and at sales counters/points near the toll plazas. People can enroll and get their FASTag badge affixed on their vehicles at designated toll tax plaza locations or ICICI and Axis bank's Point of Sale (POS) stations.

Similar highway tag brands are popular in several developed countires, like 'Eazee Pass', 'SunPass' in the US, 'e-Pass' in Australia, 'Salik' in Dubai etc.