FASTag To Be Mandatory For All Four-Wheelers From January 2021

• FASTag mandatory for all four-wheelers from January 2021.
• FASTag can be bought from major banks or online wallets such as PayTM.
• The latest move will result in a full 100 percent electronic means of payment for toll fees.

The Ministry of Road Transport And Highway Department (MoRTH) has announced that FASTag will be mandatory for all four-wheelers from January 2021 irrespective of the vehicle's age and manufacturing year. It was earlier compulsory for all four-wheelers registered after December 1, 2017. The latest notification also states that a valid FASTag will be necessary for those applying for new third party insurance from April 1, 2021. 

The latest move will result in a full 100 percent electronic means of payment for toll fees. Cash payment may not be accepted at all in the future, but that’s yet to be determined. The notification also states that ‘there would be no waiting time at the plazas and that would save fuel’.  

FASTag was earlier made mandatory for all vehicles from December 1, 2019, but it was later eased. There was also a penalty for those who didn't have FASTags or entered in the wrong lane. Late last year, the government installed RFID scanners at all toll plazas to curtail lengthy waiting times. However, the system doesn’t work flawlessly at all plazas despite the electronic wallet being topped with cash. A separate lane has been set up for users paying via cash, but it remains to be seen whether the government would retain this or not from January 2021. 

FASTag can be procured from all major banks as well as online wallets such as Paytm and PhonePe. If you’re still apprehensive about getting one, check out our detailed report for its pros and cons. The process is rather simple if you have all your documents in place.