FASTag is a term famous (or notorious) to all drivers who have traveled across India at least once. So what is it?… FASTag is a device that allows one to directly make toll payments without stopping the vehicle in toll booths. For this purpose, it employs the Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) technology. An RFID tag is attached to the windscreen of the vehicles, through which direct payment from the linked bank account can be made to any toll owner. As for deactivating FASTag, that is an entirely different story. Since 2019, FASTag has been operational in over 750 toll booths all over India. Read how to deactivate FASTag in India with ease through this article.
Availability Of Fastag
FASTag is available to purchase on both online and offline platforms. One can visit the nearest RTO office, any National Highway toll plaza, or transport hubs to buy a FASTag. As for online mode, NHAI FASTag is available on most e-commerce websites. It can also be purchased from selected bank portals – IDFC Bank, HDFC Bank, Paytm Payments Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Airtel Payments Bank, etc.
How to Deactivate FASTags in India
Since this process varies from provider to provider, people have an exaggerated idea of how to deactivate FASTag when it is a relatively simple process. Multiple reasons can be given as reasons on why one should deactivate FASTag in their vehicle.
First and foremost, if a person has sold their car or transferred its ownership, FASTag should be deactivated because, if not, toll charges will continue to be deducted even after the procedure is complete. Moreover, if one does not close the account, the new owner of the vehicle cannot open him/herself a new account because only one tag is specified for that particular vehicle.
FASTag Cancellation Process
While some tag providers can deactivate your FASTag account within a few minutes, others might take more than a few minutes. As said before, the policy varies from provider to provider. And remember that tag issuers are always following protocols, so a show of impatience will not hasten the process. Below, a comprehensive study on how to deactivate FASTag is given, with a step-by-step procedure.
How to Deactivate NHAI FASTag
NHAI FASTag is bank-neutral, which means that no bank account is linked to it at the time of purchase. Therefore, it can be bought from online and offline platforms. The linking process comes later when the customer, at his leisure, can link any of his/her existing bank accounts to the tag. However, a threshold limit has to be maintained. As for how to deactivate NHAI FASTag, the process is comparatively simple. First, one has to call the customer intimation number 1033, after which the user will be guided through the rest of the steps (deactivation) with the help of a customer representative.
How to Deactivate ICICI FASTag
NHAI authorized ICICI FASTags are available on both online and offline POS (point-of-sale). The simplest method to deactivate your account is to call 1033, after which one has to request the initiation of deactivation.
Another method to deactivate FASTag ICICI is rather lengthy but must be opted for if the first method fails. First, call the number 1800-210-0104. After receiving on the other end, you will be asked to choose a specific number to close your account; forwarding the number when asked, you will receive a message that will contain a link for deactivation. Clicking on the link, you will be redirected to the ICICI Bank account closing page, where you are to give proper details in the required sections. In addition, the reason for closing the account will also be there. Details necessary are RC number, ICICI FASTag ID and bar code number, scan copy of RC as well. Only after submitting all this correctly the deactivation request will be submitted.
How to Deactivate PayTM FASTag
How to deactivate FASTag in PayTM Payments Bank is one of the FAQ on the PayTM website. So let’s see how the actual process goes. The first step, sign in to the PayTM app. Find the helpdesk option. Next, select the issue and raise the action or request that will ultimately close your Paytm FASTag account. Finally, as an alternate option, you can call on 18001204210 to rapidly be done away with the issue.
How to Deactivate Airtel Payments Bank FASTag
One of the most hassle-free processes compared to other tag issuers. How to deactivate Airtel FASTag relies on a smooth as pie method. You need to call on either of the two numbers – 8800688006 or 400 – follow the guidance, all along with the steps to close your account.
FASTag – A Brief Timeline
2014 – Set upon Golden Quadrilateral between Ahmedabad and Mumbai as a pilot project, but later seen on the Delhi-Mumbai Quadrilateral arm in November.
2015 – FASTag payments spread to the Chennai-Bangalore Golden Quadrilateral stretch.
2016 – FASTag payments went nationwide, on almost 70% of toll plazas by the end of 2016.
2017 – It became a compulsory requirement on every newly sold vehicle.
2019 – Became mandatory on all national highways. Hyderabad airport also implemented a FASTag car parking facility.
2021 – FASTag is compulsory now at all Toll Plaza.
Some FAQs
What are the charges for FASTag?
The minimum amount is Rs. 100 (inclusive of all taxes). However, Rs. 200 security deposit and Rs. 200 as first-time recharge amounts are chargeable on a frequent basis by bartender banks. Therefore, it is also advisable to maintain a minimum balance in the account to experience a hassle-free toll experience.
Is there a physical validity of a FASTag?
Although one needs to use it only while driving through toll booths, FASTags have a validity of 5 years from the date of purchase.
Who are exempted from toll tax?
These would be Dignitaries (Indian and foreign), ambulance, funeral vans, vehicles for the physically handicapped, and any MLA/MP.
How to block the FASTag account in case the vehicle is stolen?
Since the policies differ from provider to provider, how to deactivate FASTag completely spends upon their regulations. However, in a crisis like this, the customer can contact the issuing company to block his/her FASTag account according to any of the procedures stated above.
What will happen if one loses his/her FASTag?
Again, only the issuing company can sort this out. After successfully blocking the previous FASTag account, one has to open a new one, to which the previous balance will be transferred.
The process of how to deactivate FASTag is very easy to follow. However, only incomplete information leads to this conclusion. Therefore, in this article, a few justified ways to deactivate FASTag in India are penned down, methods that will always get the work done.
You may also like to read a detailed guide about RC transfer process and documents required for RC transfer
1 Comment
Very informative!