Launch of the One Nation One Tag FASTag Scheme

In 1995, the National Highways of India was set up. It is responsible for the management of highways in India. The government focuses on digital India – a cashless system, and FASTag is the best way for the transport sector. On December 1, 2019, the One Nation One Tag – FASTag was established by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The FASTag scheme was launched with the tagline of One Nation One Tag – FASTag to proceed with having a unified electronic system across the country. FASTag ensures that all the cars will be able to travel across the nation without worrying about paying cash at the toll plazas. 

One Nation One Tag FASTag

On December 1, 2019, the One Nation One Tag – FASTag scheme was launched in New Delhi by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The FASTag scheme is a unified electronic system across the country. It ensures that all the vehicles will be able to travel across the nation without worrying about paying cash at the toll plazas.

The main aim of the FASTag scheme is to digitally integrate the collection of toll plazas and provide the seamless mobility of vehicles across India. The government initiated this FASTag scheme to overcome the current challenges in the imprint and track mechanism for the GST E-Way Bill system (EWB), which enhances the efficiency of its monitoring.

The Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL) exchanged the MoUs with several authorities and states to integrate the FASTag scheme. States such as Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Karnataka’S National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) have already signed MoUs with the IHMCL by accepting the FASTags on their highway tolls plaza. According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), these instruments will make passing through tolls vastly smoother since drivers no need to wait for a longer time for making transactions.

FASTag

FASTags are kind of stickers pasted to the windscreen of the cars and use RFID technology to promote the contactless payment – digital payment mode on tolls without stopping at the toll plazas. The FASTag uses the Radiofrequency technology (RFID) provided with a reloadable tag linked to the prepaid accounts that permit automatic deduction of toll payments as we cross via the toll plaza. FASTag is an acceptable scheme across the National Highways of 490  toll booths up to thirty-nine State highways with five years of validation and can recharge as per requirements.

These tags are either linked to their bank accounts or other payment modes. Once a car passes through toll booths, the amount is deducted. A notification is automatically sent to their mobile number registered with toll plazas because the sensors are inbuilt into the toll barriers. The cars with valid FASTags only pass through the toll plaza because the barriers will open for those vehicles with a valid FASTag. Also, the cameras at the toll plazas take photos of the passengers in a vehicle, which will be helpful for them to keep a record of the vehicle’s movement.

Advantages of FASTag

There are several advantages of FASTag. They are

• Economically, FASTag is the apt solution for hassle-free travel on national highways. It makes travel smoother and more accessible. This endeavour will remove blockages and assure seamless motion of traffic and efficient collection of user fees.
• As the amount is reduced automatically, it will reduce the amount for both the time and fuel consumption, bringing down the loss of fuel while waiting at the toll booths.
• It also helps to reduce the activities and management in the tolls, leading to an efficient working environment system.
• The FASTag scheme helps the revenue authorities to follow the movement of the vehicles and assure the same reaches its destination by lowering the chances of misleading.
• The FASTag hooked on the windscreen of a car can be used at any toll plaza in the country under various agencies or states and other commodities, thus delivering seamless assistance to customers across the country.

Conclusion

As the government focuses on a digital India – cashless system, FASTag is the apt way in the transport field. Though the FASTag scheme faces lots of challenges, with the support of the Union Ministry, they provide impeccable services to the people and society. It also helps to reduce the activities and management in the tolls, leading to efficiency. FASTag ensures seamless travel across the country. The FASTag scheme was launched with the tagline of One Nation One Tag – FASTag to proceed with having a unified electronic system across the country.