FASTag to go multipurpose: Pay tolls, parking, petrol & more with India's digital wallet
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Preparations are accelerating to transform FASTag, once limited to toll payments, into a multipurpose digital wallet. Under this plan by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), FASTag will also be able to be used to pay for parking, petrol, EV charging, food outlets, and other travel-related services. According to officials, the trial, which has been underway for the past six months, has been successful.
Digital fraud will be reduced, using it as a wallet.
Officials say that using FASTag as a wallet will reduce the risk of digital fraud. Due to the limited balance, losses in the event of fraud will be contained, and users will not need to repeatedly switch between different payment modes.
Meetings with fintech companies, payment service providers, banks and toll operators have led to consensus on the following services :
Toll Payment
Petrol Pumps
EV Charging Stations
Food Outlets
Vehicle Maintenance
City Entry Charges
Other Off-Road Amenities During Travel
Starting at New Delhi Station, Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, stated that the Delhi Division Railway has developed a new policy regarding parking and traffic management. Under this policy, parking fees at New Delhi Railway Station will be paid using Fastag. It is estimated that approximately 80% of vehicles will leave immediately after dropping off or picking up passengers. Automatic fee deduction will virtually eliminate disputes between contractors and drivers over overcharging.
Ex-army personnel will be appointed as parking marshals
Under the new system, ex-army personnel will be deployed as marshals for parking and traffic management. This will curb complaints of misbehavior by private security personnel and will leverage the military's experience in security and countering terrorist activities.
What is the new policy?
Under this policy of Delhi division, the tender process has been completed and the new company will take over the parking management from December 28. As per the tender conditions, the company will have to implement all the standards related to passenger facilities, vehicle management and security within a month. Three special pathways are being constructed towards Ajmeri Gate, through which passengers will be able to easily reach the security check and scanning with their luggage. Access to taxi, bus or metro will also be easy for the passengers alighting from the train through the designated lane.