Ruby McKenzie
The National Electronic Toll Collection program has simplified the toll payment and collection process by introducing FASTag, a radio frequency identification-based toll collection system. The interoperable toll payment solution allows commuters to pay toll charges on national highways (and select state highways) seamlessly, enhancing convenience and significantly reducing bottlenecks at toll plazas.
All toll booths on national highways and a few on state highways have been added to the FASTag network. This allows users to pass through toll booths and pay toll charges digitally. FASTag, which uses RFID technology, enables seamless payment of toll charges directly from the linked prepaid wallet or account. This ensures commuters don’t have to spend a significant amount of time waiting in long queues or put up with the hassle of cash payment at toll plazas.
Owners of new vehicles or those who don’t have a FASTag can apply for one from any of the issuing member banks or NBFCs. As previously mentioned, all toll booths on national highways and select state highways have been added to the FASTag network. Let us look at the top 7 toll plazas where FASTag is accepted.
Top 7 toll plazas accepting FASTag
Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link Plaza
The Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link (also called the Bandra-Worli Sea Link) is an 8-lane wide cable-stayed bridge in Mumbai. The toll plaza stands at the entrance of the Sea Link and is managed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The plaza has been operational since 2009 and features multiple lanes. The electronic toll collection system ensures reduced congestion for commuters travelling between Mumbai’s suburbs and South Mumbai.
IRB Charoti
Located on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway (NH 48), IRB Charoti Toll Plaza serves as an important checkpoint for intercity traffic. The toll plaza is operated by IRB Infrastructure, and the toll fees collected are used for maintenance and improvement projects.
Mulund Eastern Express Way
The Mulund Eastern Express Way connects Mumbai and Thane and is a part of the Indian Highway 48. The toll plaza is operated under the Mumbai Entry Point Project and is equipped with multiple lanes and electronic toll collection systems. Considering the fact that it connects Mumbai and Thane, the plaza experiences high volumes of traffic every day, and the FASTag facility reduces congestion and improves travel times for commuters.
Jaipur Plaza
Also located along National Highway 48, the Jaipur Toll Plaza connects the cities of Delhi and Jaipur. The toll plaza falls under the purview of the National Highways Authority of India, which provides the requisite funding for road maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. This toll plaza also has FASTag lanes to reduce congestion, particularly during peak travel seasons.
IGI Toll Plaza
Located on the primary approach roads to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, the IGI Toll Plaza oversees the traffic flow of passengers and commercial vehicles going to various airport terminals. It is also equipped with several lanes and electronic toll collection systems for enhanced convenience and improved travel times.
JATL Nijjerpura Toll Plaza
Situated along the Jalandhar-Amritsar Highway in Punjab, this toll plaza serves as a crucial revenue point for maintaining and upgrading the road corridor. It is operated by the Jalandhar Amritsar Tollways Limited and effortlessly handles local commuters and tourists heading to key Amritsar attractions, thanks to its FASTag lanes.
Khaniwade Toll Plaza
Located on the National Highway 48 near Virar in Mumbai, the Khaniwade Toll Plaza oversees the traffic flow between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This toll plaza is operated by IRB Infrastructure and is crucial for generating revenue, which, in turn, is used for highway maintenance and safety measures. It also features multiple toll lanes and FASTag services, thus reducing congestion and supporting smoother intercity travel in the western corridor.
Given its importance in facilitating smoother intercity commutes, it is crucial that you affix the FASTag properly on your windshield. You can also purchase adhesives from online marketplaces to ensure that the RFID tag remains attached to the windshield at all times.
Conclusion
The NTEC FASTag is crucial in streamlining toll payments, as it helps commuters and toll operators by simplifying the toll payment and collection process. All the toll plazas on national highways are currently on the FASTag platform, along with a few toll booths on state highways. This is done to ensure safe, secure, and convenient payment of toll fees, as the government has made it mandatory for four-wheelers to affix FASTags on their windshields.
