Even though the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set up on-the-spot FASTag counters at all the toll plazas across Jharkhand, the demand for FASTag at local stores in the city grew on Monday owning to the Centre’s decision of charging double toll tax Monday midnight onwards from vehicles that do not have FASTag – a system of cashless toll tax payment through barcodes embedded on stickers that can be pasted on the windshield of a car.
Local shops offering FASTag services in Ranchi were flooded with applications on Monday, claimed shop owners. Most of the applicants were locals who travel to neighbouring districts on a regular basis either for business or office work, they added.
Devi Kumar, owner of a FASTag service shop in Kokar, said that the demand for FASTag almost doubled on Monday and nearly 100 people purchased FASTag from his shop. Besides, there were several enquiries over phone call from people who wanted to get a FASTag immediately before leaving for another city by road.
“The sale of FASTag had picked up pace in December when the government decided not to allow vehicles pass toll booths without FASTag. Then the demand dropped once the government decided to allow cash transaction for a few more weeks,” said Devi, adding that the demand has again gone up after the government’s decision of sticking to the deadline of February 15.
FASTags, which facilitate electronic payment of fee at toll plazas, was introduced in 2016. The current government has made the tags compulsory to ensure that vehicles pass seamlessly through the toll plazas, as the fee payment would be done electronically and eliminate cash mismanagement.
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said the deadline for the implementation of FASTag would not be extended further, and the vehicle owners should immediately adopt the e-payment facility.
NHAI’s Regional Officer (RO) SK Mishra on Monday said that the NHAI has been running extensive campaigns to encourage people to use FASTag for the past three months in Jharkhand, but despite the efforts many vehicles were still running without FASTag.
“You can still get a FASTag on-the-spot from any of the counters set up at all the toll booths in Jharkhand,” said Mishra, adding that vehicle owners will now have a choice to either get a FASTag on the spot or pay double toll tax.
However, those people who can afford to wait for a week to get a FASTag for their vehicle can apply online from the convenience of their home and get the tag delivered to their doorsteps, said Rajan Kumar, an employee at HDFC Bank, Ratu Road.
“It is a simple process. You can visit our website and apply for FASTag. The tag will be delivered to your registered address within five days,” he said.
Other private banks and nationalized banks are also offering FASTag services in Ranchi. However, most of the private banks are only providing online services in a bid to avoid crowding at various branches of the bank.
“We also have to ensure that people do not overcrowd the banks to get FASTag since we are still following precautions against Covid-19 virus,” said an employee at ICICI Bank.