Context : India’s highways collected ₹2.4 lakh crore, huge contributions from FASTag tolling.
Relevance: GS 3 (Infrastructure, Economic Development)
Benefits of FASTag System
Convenience
- Automatic Payments: Enables seamless toll payment without stopping at plazas, reducing cash dependency.
- Prepaid Accounts: Easy online recharge options make toll management hassle-free.
Time-Saving
- Reduced Wait Times: Vehicles equipped with FASTags pass toll plazas faster, minimizing delays.
Transparency and Accountability
- Digital Records: Provides clear, tamper-proof records of toll transactions, enhancing accountability.
Challenges
Technical Issues
- Connectivity Problems: Disruptions between toll plazas and banks affect transaction reliability.
- Faulty Tags: Poor-quality tags lead to failed payments.
- Multiple Tags: Confusion arises when vehicles have more than one FASTag.
User Awareness
- Lack of Awareness: Limited understanding of FASTag usage reduces adoption in some regions.
Operational Challenges
- Queue Management: Long queues persist at plazas during peak hours or festive seasons despite FASTag adoption.
Way Forward
- Improving infrastructure .
- Awareness campaigns .
- Streamlining operational processes .
