Ministry of Road Transport &
Highways has decided to roll out Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) program in
the country under the brand name “FASTag”. ETC entails payment of highway tolls
electronically without needing to stop the vehicle 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 lanes”.
ICICI Bank and Axis bank, engaged
for providing Central Clearing House (CCH) services, would distribute RFID
based “FASTag” through their franchises/agents and at points of sales near the
toll plazas. Road users can enrol and get “FASTag” affixed on their vehicles at
designated toll plaza locations or Point of Sale (POS) stations of Axis bank
and ICICI bank.
Such type of highway
tag brands are common in developed countries and are known by different names
like “Eazee Pass”, “SunPass” in the US, “e-Pass” in Australia, “Salik” in Dubai
etc.
The “FASTag” logo can
be accessed here
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KSP/SR