National Highways Authority of India or NHAI, which is implementing the ambitious FASTag project, has ‘requested’ all banks to provide free FASTags for all users.
This request has been made to ICICI Bank, HDFC, SBI, Kotak Mahindra and others.
However, it the free distribution of FASTags by banks started?
NHAI To Banks: Provide Free FASTags
As per incoming reports, NHAI has requested all banks to offer free FASTags, to all users, only till December 1st.
Every bank which is selling FASTags: ICICI, Axis, HDFC, IDFC First, IndusInd, Kotak Mahindra and others, have been requested for this.
NHAI is already issuing free FASTags to all vehicle owners, and this free distribution is happening at toll plazas across India.
How To Get Free FASTag From Banks?
As per the directives issued by NHAI, vehicle owners can bring their driving license, and a copy of their vehicle RC (Registration Certificate), to get free FASTags from any bank.
The minimum prepaid amount which needs to be present in the FASTag has to be uploaded by the user, but there won’t be any FASTag issuance fee for the same or any security deposit.
This offer, as per NHAI directive, should be active till December 1st. NHAI has requested this to the banks, via IMCL (Indian Highways Management Company Limited), an initiative from NHAI for implementing the FASTag rule across all toll plazas.
Even NHAI’s offer of free FASTags is applicable till December 1st.
But Are The Banks Following This Request
As per incoming reports, banks are charging for issuing FASTags: both the security deposit, and the issuance fee from the users.
There has been no official announcement from the banks, regarding the free FASTag offer, as requested by NHAI and IMCL.
This is certainly creating some confusion.
In fact, even after Govt. offered free FASTags for all, at toll plazas, there are some cases wherein the employees at toll plazas are not giving the FASTags for free.
For instance, at Kherki Daula toll in Gurgaon, reports have emerged that agents are selling these FASTags in black, and there was a huge queque for the same.
In case you receive any information about FASTags at banks, please do let us know.
Source:- trak