Here’s What Happens If You Don’t Get a FASTag By 1 December

People who do not have FASTags on 1 December will have to pay double the toll amount.

The government is looking to impose penalties for people who do not have a FASTag.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Indian government recently announced that FASTag e-toll payment has been made mandatory for all cars, coming into effect from 1 December.

FASTags use RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, which makes electronic payments possible while crossing the toll. These RFID chipsets are linked to the user’s bank accounts or digital wallets from where the toll can be deducted automatically without the hassle of stopping.

However, if you are not able to buy a FASTag by 1 December and land up at a toll, you could land yourself in trouble.

In order to enforce this system, the government has decided to impose penalties on people who do not have a FASTag at a toll booth. Starting 1 December, vehicles entering a toll booth without a valid FASTag will have to pay double the total toll amount.

As per the NHAI (National Highways Authority of India), almost all of the highway's tolls now have the electronic toll collection set up and there will also be a hybrid station for people who want to use cash during this transition period.

Seemingly, the cash collection system will be only open for a limited period of time.

In an attempt to motivate car owners, the NHAI will be issuing FASTags for free. Also, it has set up point-of-sale terminals at various places for people to buy these FASTags, and they can also go to their respective banks to get them.