FASTag mandatory in Maharashtra for all vehicles from April 1: What is it and how does it work?

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday announced that, starting April 1, 2025, all vehicles in the state should have a FASTag sticker. Apart from offering the convenience of cashless payment, the electronic toll collection system or Fastag helps motorists save on fuel and time as they don't have to wait at toll plazas. 

What is a FASTag?

A FASTag is a sticker tag governed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which is fitted on vehicles to eliminate human intervention in the road toll collection system.

The FASTag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to complete scanning the tag from a distance to deduct the road toll directly from people's bank accounts or digital wallets.

The FASTag system is currently operated by 23 banks in India. 

How does FASTag work?

The FASTag sticker or tag is fixed to a vehicle's windscreen and linked to a prepaid account. Toll payments are collected through RFID as vehicles pass through the toll gates.

In theory, you don't have to stop at a toll booth if you have a FASTag attached to your car, but in reality, due to the high level of traffic and people's tendency to not give tolls in India, in some regions, you have to halt for a brief moment to get the FASTag scanner and then pass the toll.

The government has instructed the NHAI to convert all toll lanes across the nation's national highway network into FASTag lanes, according to HDFC Bank. 

Once a user's FASTag account is active, the appropriate toll amount will be automatically deducted from the bank account or digital wallet whenever the vehicle passes through a FASTag-enabled toll plaza.

With this technology, it is easier for travellers and commuters using a vehicle to keep track of their toll expenses. They will receive an SMS or an email alert on their registered mobile numbers and email addresses every time they pay a toll.

The FASTag also helps reduce paperwork and check corruption at toll plazas.