Page 3 - Latest Updates on FASTag
Industries accelerate automation plans amid chronic labour shortage
Companies say mechanisation is here to stay even in the post-pandemic world
 "Industries accelerate automation plans amid chronic labour shortage")
FASTag made mandatory for availing discounts on highway toll plazas
The government on Wednesday said it has made FASTag mandatory for availing all discounts on National Highways toll plazas.
 "FASTag made mandatory for availing discounts on highway toll plazas")
The Fastag track could be key to the government's ambitious programme
Investment in public infrastructure will be essential to pull the economy out of the massive downturn the pandemic has imposed
 "The Fastag track could be key to the government's ambitious programme")
May digital payments see an uptick, indicating revival in economic activity
As vehicular activity returned in May, toll collection saw a huge uptick; Fastag posted an impressive jump of more than 400 per cent in transaction count at 55.17 million
 "May digital payments see an uptick, indicating revival in economic activity")
Vehicles with non-functional FASTag to be charged double toll fee
Before this amendment, the user of vehicle was to pay twice on the fee plaza only if the vehicle didn't carry the FASTag and entered in dedicated lane for the tag
 "Vehicles with non-functional FASTag to be charged double toll fee")
NHAI collects Rs 20 cr from 1.8 million defaulters entering FASTag lanes
Over 1.55 crore FASTags have been issued through multiple Point of Sale (PoS) location
 "NHAI collects Rs 20 cr from 1.8 million defaulters entering FASTag lanes")
Paytm Bank partners with Ola, Uber, for FASTags to 100,000 drivers
PPB has set up 12 camps at Uber Green zones across different cities for drivers to purchase and use FASTags
 "Paytm Bank partners with Ola, Uber, for FASTags to 100,000 drivers")
NHAI makes FASTag free of charge for 15 days to increase toll collection
The government has rolled out the FASTag-based toll collection system across more than 527 national highways in the country
FASTag: Norms for 65 high cash transaction toll plazas relaxed for 30 days
These 65 plazas are located Pan-India including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh and Andhra Pradesh
 "FASTag: Norms for 65 high cash transaction toll plazas relaxed for 30 days")
Top Headlines: Amazon to invest $1 bn in Indian SMBs, Airtel $3-bn QIP plan
Bharti Airtel has announced allotment of 323.5 mn equity shares to eligible institutional buyers at an issue price of Rs 445 per share as part of $2 billion QIP
 "Top Headlines: Amazon to invest $1 bn in Indian SMBs, Airtel $3-bn QIP plan")
FASTag rollout: Doubts galore; uncertainty over toll plaza attendants' jobs
At present, FASTags are being rolled out on National Highways. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) operates the Vashi Bridge
 "FASTag rollout: Doubts galore; uncertainty over toll plaza attendants' jobs")
RBI allows use of UPI and other non-bank payment methods to link FASTags
Move to boost NETC, foster competition among system participants; turnaround time for resolving failed transactions will be applicable to the transactions carried out in the NETC system
Want to avoid toll plaza queues? Now, you can recharge FASTags via BHIM UPI
FASTag has been made mandatory on national highways throughout the country from December 15, 2019
 "Want to avoid toll plaza queues? Now, you can recharge FASTags via BHIM UPI")
Post rollout, 10.1 mn FASTags issued for electronic toll collection on NHs
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) started electronic toll collection through RFID-based FASTags on its 523 toll plazas across the country from December 15 for seamless flow of traffic
Gadkari praises FASTag for surge in revenue; bats for IT, e-governance
He said positive and development orientated approach, transparency, corruption-free system, fast track decision making process and social and national commitment will lead to good governance.
 "Gadkari praises FASTag for surge in revenue; bats for IT, e-governance")
FASTag for tolling comes into force, gets mixed reaction from commuters
At every toll plaza pan India one hybrid lane will remain operative for the vehicles from both directions
Up to 25% of FASTag lanes to be temporarily converted to hybrid lanes
The hybrid lane will accept FASTag and other modes of payment
 "Up to 25% of FASTag lanes to be temporarily converted to hybrid lanes")
Paytm Payments Bank says it issued 600,000 FASTags in November
PPB said it sold 6 lakh tags in the month of November, and claimed that it has equipped over 1.85 million vehicles with FASTags
After toll plazas, govt push for FASTag at Hyderabad airport parking
It has given a major fillip to the Digital India initiative by converting cash toll payments to electronic and brought in an enhanced transparency in entire tolling ecosystem, the ministry said
 "After toll plazas, govt push for FASTag at Hyderabad airport parking")
RIL, ICICI Bank and L&T Finance among big names rolling out FASTag
The most obvious beneficiary of this roll-out will be manufacturers of FASTags, or the Radio Frequency Identification chips
