FASTag is the brand name given to automated "Electronic Toll Collection" system launched by India's Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. While such type of highway tag brands are common in developed countries under brand names like “Eazee Pass”, “SunPass”, “e-Pass” and “Salik”, this is a new technology for India. The system comprises of a simple to use, reloadable RFID tag which can be used to pay toll charges without stopping at toll-plazas. The Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) technology used in the tag allows users to travel non-stop through dedicated FASTag lane at toll checker booths, automated scanning of RFID tag on vehicle's windscreen deducts toll charges from the linked prepaid account without stopping for the cash transaction. The tag employs Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) technology and is affixed on the vehicle's windscreen after the tag account is active.
The RFID cards can be purchased and loaded from banks, at the moment Axis Bank and ICICI bank have started to offer the same with more franchises/agents at points of sales are planned in coming days. The technology not only saves users time but also helps save fuel as one don't need to wait for cash transaction, this reduction in idle vehicle fuel consumption is expected to save Rs 60,000 crore in fuel bills.