According to the COO of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), nearly 8.62 lakh FASTag transactions are occurring in a day in the current financial year. The numbers have improved significantly from the year following incorporation of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) in 2016. During the month of January 2017, approximately 30,000 transactions through FASTag took place in a day.
FASTag was introduced in 2014. It is an RFID (radio-frequency identification) mode of payment that allows individuals to pay their fees electronically at FASTag-enabled toll booths. Currently, there are above 600 FASTag lanes or toll booths all across India.
There are in total of 22 authorized institutions that can issue a FASTag card. Paytm is one of the organizations which has been authorized to issue these cards by the NHAI. Paytm also holds 110 toll plazas in India, from where it issues these cards to eligible individuals.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, it is mandatory for eligible individuals to avail a FASTag in India by the 15th of December 2019.
How to purchase a Paytm FASTag?
Paytm offers FASTag cards through their website or mobile application. You need to pay Rs.500 to purchase a Paytm FASTag card. The constitution of such fees is as follows –
- Rs.100 – Issuance fee.
- Rs.250 – Security deposit.
- Rs.150 – Minimum balance.
Here are ways to purchase a FASTag card.
1. Website
To avail a Paytm FASTag through their website, follow the steps mentioned below –
- Login to Paytm with your registered number and password.
- Go to the “More” option in the homepage dashboard and select “FASTag” from the drop-down menu.
- Provide your vehicle’s registration number.
- Provide the photograph of your vehicle’s registration certificate (RC); you will need to provide both front and rear pictures.
- Click on “Buy for Rs.500.”
2. Mobile application
You can also apply for a FASTag for a car or any other motor vehicle through Paytm’s mobile application. Follow the below-mentioned steps to conclude your purchase through their mobile application –
- Login to the Paytm app with your registered number and password if you are not logged in already.
- Click on the “FASTag and toll” option on its homepage.
- Select the “Buy FASTag” on the next page.
- Provide your vehicle’s registration number.
- Upload both sides of your vehicle’s registration certificate.
- Click on “Buy now.”
Ensure the photographs submitted take less than 2 MB of disk space. Upon the verification of your documents, your FASTag card would be dispatched to your registered address.
3. Offline
You can also decide to apply for a FASTag offline. You can visit your nearest point-of-sale which issues the card. When applying offline, carry original copies of your KYC documents – Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, and the registration certificate of your vehicle.
Once you have purchased such a card, you can link it with your respective Paytm account. Thereby, your toll fees would be directly deducted from the account.
How to activate the Paytm FASTag card?
Your card will be activated as soon as the documents you have provided with Paytm are verified. Once you have received the physical FASTtag card, you should install it in the top middle of your vehicle’s windshield.
How to recharge Paytm FASTag?
You can recharge your FASTag by following the steps discussed below –
- Click on the “FASTag and toll” option on the Paytm homepage.
- Select the “Add money to FASTag.”
- Enter the recharge amount and click on “Proceed to add money.”
You can only avail of one FASTag card for one vehicle. In case you have multiple vehicles, you will need to purchase multiple cards. Also, ensure to check for your account balance regularly and recharge accordingly. Inadequate balance at toll booths might result in blacklisting.
While a FASTag makes traveling by car easy, opting for a Road Trip Cover will also safeguard you against multiple risks and hazards while traveling.
