Here’s How FASTag Helps in Reducing Traffic Jams
3 min read
Whether you are out for a short trip or long drive, the idea of travelling by road has always been a thrilling experience. Moreover, substantial ameliorations in roadway infrastructure have added an extravagant dash of gusto to it. However, waiting for long in a queue or having the exact amount at the toll plaza always has been a hassle. The good news is this hassle has been eliminated by FASTag.
What is a FASTag?
FASTag is the same as a VIP pass to a show. It is a tag in the form of a sticker with an embedded chip, like an antenna. The tag is fixed on the vehicle’s windshield, which saves you from standing in long queues at the plaza to pay for crossing it. As you pass by, the toll plaza charges are deducted automatically without the need to stop at the booth. It is a major step towards making your travel efficient with the assistance of digital technology.
As you move towards the plaza, your vehicle tag status is identified through the FASTag using the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. Once detected, the estimated toll charges are automatically deducted from your account.
Why is FASTag payment important?
Like 4-wheeler insurance, the Indian government has made FASTag service mandatory for paying your toll on national highways. Even vehicles that are exempt from toll charges must be equipped with FASTag service. The only difference here is that such vehicles must add an internal mechanism that computes NIL charges on crossing the toll.
FASTag promotes digital transactions. Additionally, the system lowers the interference of manpower at the booth, helps avoid traffic build up, and saves considerable time. As per reports, data collected via devices at the toll plaza can allow better traffic monitoring.
What are the important benefits of using FASTag?
- Saves time and fuel: FASTag service assists you to save on both – fuel and time. FASTag is easily scanned and read by the reader at the plaza and the toll charge is deducted from your account attached to your FASTag. It allows you to skip the long queues and cross the plaza without the need to stop, which allows you to save a lot of time. Also, it permits you to save on fuel spent as you are not requiredto unnecessarily wait for offline payment.
- Online recharge: What makes FASTag a hassle-free service is its feature to recharge online. Your FASTag can be recharged online through your credit cards, debit cards, RTGS transfer, NEFT transfer or internet banking. All you need is an internet connection.
- Cashless transaction: With FASTag service, you can concentrate on your driving without the need to stop for offline toll transactions.
- Transaction record: Each time you cross a booth, the toll charge is debited from your bank account or digital wallet. And an email and an SMS alert are sent to you instantly, intimating the deduction. It assists you to keep a thorough track of the amount you spent on the booth. Moreover, you can even check the FASTag statement through its portal.
Ending note
FASTag has various benefits. It assists you to save time, is quick and hassle free and benefits the environment too. While few have reported technical glitches like incorrect deduction, failure in scanning etc., the Indian government is working hard to make the tag an error free technology.
