Advantages of FASTag Implementation in the Indian Transportation Sector
The role of the logistics industry in India's economic growth is increasingly vital. A well-functioning logistics sector plays a crucial part in India's aspiration to become a manufacturing powerhouse. It is widely acknowledged that the growth of any industry is heavily reliant on government initiatives and the adoption of appropriate technology. Since the early stages of economic development, logistics and transportation have been foundational for various business structures worldwide.
India is currently on the verge of a digital revolution, with substantial advancements in technology adoption, particularly in the realm of digital payments for tolls and travel. When the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) decided to embrace cutting-edge innovations for national highway toll collection, it was seen as a significant and worthwhile decision.
In the present landscape, technologies related to toll collection have gained traction, allowing for the use of digital payments instead of physical cash at toll plazas. With a strong emphasis on establishing an efficient and effective toll collection system, electronic toll collection (ETC), known as FASTag, emerged as a pivotal solution to facilitate efficient, rapid, and cashless toll payment.
Currently, FASTag adoption is optional, but the structured and impressive system it offers has encouraged many to adopt it. In the pursuit of a cashless India, the benefits of FASTag in the transportation industry are substantial. Here, we discuss some of the advantages of FASTag for different stakeholders:
Benefits of FASTag for:
Vehicle Owners
One of the primary advantages of FASTag is the elimination of the need for cash transactions at toll booths, reducing congestion caused by cash payments and making journeys hassle-free.
Long queues at toll booths are a thing of the past, as FASTag enables vehicles to pass through without waiting.
FASTag can be recharged online in just a few minutes, simplifying the process.
Toll Collectors
FASTag eliminates the need for toll owners and collectors to manually track cash payments, as toll amounts vary for different vehicle classes.
It eliminates the inconvenience of providing change and collecting exact toll amounts, making the process smoother.
Government
FASTag benefits the government by curbing the potential for bribes and preventing underreporting or overcharging of tolls, reducing illicit financial transactions.
Commuters cannot evade toll payments, as the toll is automatically deducted from their accounts.
Additional Benefits of FASTag:
FASTag offers various features, including emergency roadside assistance, accidental death coverage, and transaction alerts via SMS and email.
It assists the government in tracking road usage and types of vehicles, aiding in budget allocation for infrastructure development.
Other notable features of FASTag technology include:
Eliminating the need for carrying cash for toll payments.
A five-year validity period for FASTag after the initial purchase.
Multiple online recharge options, such as debit cards, credit cards, NEFT/RTGS, and net banking.
Issuance of SMS alerts for toll payments and low balances.
A 10% cashback scheme to encourage FASTag adoption.
In Conclusion:
Each FASTag remains valid for five years and can be recharged as needed. To obtain a FASTag, you must submit:
Vehicle registration certificate
Passport-sized photograph
KYC documents, such as PAN card, Aadhar card, and Voter ID.
The implementation of FASTag began in April 2013 on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad interstate highway and has since expanded to operate at over 600 toll booths on national and state highways.