IT Correspondent
Mumbai, Dec 28:
With a view to ensure payment of user fee via electronic means and seamless movement of vehicles through toll plazas, FASTag has been made mandatory for four-wheelers from first January 2021 by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Those owning four-wheelers purchased before 01 December, 2017 will have to compulsorily procure FASTag. The Ministry has notified that all four-wheelers, regardless of the year of manufacture and age, should mandatorily have it. It has also been made mandatory through amendment in Form 51 to have a valid FASTag while taking a new third party insurance. This will include the details of the FASTag ID. This will come into force with effect from 01 April, 2021.
The government has claimed that this notification will be a major step towards ensuring 100 per cent payment of duty on toll plazas only electronically and vehicles will be able to pass through the plazas without any interruption. This will prevent vehicles from waiting at the plazas and will save fuel.
What is FASTag?
A FASTag is tag embedded with a unique identification number mounted on the windscreen of a vehicle. As the vehicle reaches the toll plaza, the number is read by the RFID reader. The toll amount is deducted from the linked account.
Where to buy a FASTag?
The FASTags can be purchased from authorized banks such as Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC Bank, Syndicate Bank, SBI and HDFC Bank. It can also be purchased from select petrol pumps, RTOs, toll plazas and PayTM. It comes with a validity of 5 years.
Does it need any document?
Documents like vehicle registration certificate, passport size photograph, voter ID card, Aadhaar card, PAN Card or passport will be required to get FASTag.
Cast names on number plates banned in Uttar Pradesh
In the meanwhile in significant development, the Uttar Pradesh Government has banned the mention of caste on number plates of vehicles. The UP transport department has issued an order to all its RTOs, ARTOs and enforce this rule and take action against vehicle owners violating this rule. The UP Government issued this order as advised by PMO.
The PMO took cognizance of the letter written on 04 December to PMO by Harshpal Prabhu from Maharashtra who had pointed out that such restriction will help avoid caste-based crimes. He had pointed out that some vehicles owners have been mentioning their castes like “Rajput”, “Kshatriya”, “Jat” etc.
As per motor vehicle rules no names or slogans can be written on number plates and a fine of Rs 500 can be imposed for the first offence and Rs 1500 for subsequent offence.
