The government proposes that FASTag be mandatory for four-wheelers as of January 1, 2021

A senior government official told Mint that the government will have to amend the central motor vehicle rules to make the use of FASTag mandatory for all four-wheelers sold before December 1, 2017. “After it is change the rules, a vehicle can be punished if FASTag is not fit in the car, “explained the official.

Previously, the government had made it mandatory for the registration of all four wheelers sold in India as of December 2017 to be equipped with FASTags to allow automatic deduction of tolls.

The Ministry of Transport also plans to make FASTag mandatory to make use of a new third-party vehicle insurance from April 1, 2021. “It is proposed that having a valid FASTag be mandatory when obtaining new third-party insurance through a amendment in FORM 51 (certificate of insurance), where the FASTag ID details will be captured, “the official said, adding that the ministry has sought comments and suggestions from stakeholders on these two proposals.

The latest government measure will ensure that vehicles adhere to FASTag standards.

FASTag is an electronic toll collection device that is attached to the windshield of a vehicle to allow drivers to cross toll plazas without having to stop. The toll payment is deducted directly from a prepaid wallet or from a bank account linked to it. The use of FASTag was made mandatory earlier this year at all national highway toll plazas to reduce cash handling and decongest national highways.

Since then, the government has tried to encourage the use of electronic toll collection and discourage the use of cash. Last month, it made use of FASTag mandatory to take advantage of discounted tolls, including a return trip within 24 hours. He said the renewal of the certificate of fitness will be granted only after FASTag is installed in the vehicles. For vehicles with a national permit, the use of the device is mandatory from October 1, 2019.