The government has mooted a proposal to link the unique number
embedded in FASTags with the e-way bill generated by the Goods and
Services Tax Network (GSTN). The move will effectively prevent chances
of vehicles transporting goods to places other than those declared.
FASTag employs radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enable electronic payment at tolls on national highways.
The
mechanism provides unique numbers for vehicles, ensuring that they can
be tracked at over 400 toll plazas located on the national highways
network.
Route fully mapped out
In the e-way bill
generated by GSTN, transporters have to declare the origin, destination,
time at which vehicle has to depart, and the number of days it will
take to reach its destination, among other particulars.
Effectively,
FASTags can apprise the GSTN and other State enforcement authorities of
the route that the vehicle is taking on the national highways, and
whether it is as declared.
Moreover, if the vehicle is stuck
mid-way for some reason, an application for extension of time can also
be expected in advance. Also, if the transporter asks for an extension
of dates in the e-way bill, the data can be cross-checked, explained an
official.
"If a vehicle is to go from Delhi to Chennai, and it
goes to Chandigarh [instead], the reason for such deviations can be
mapped, which will help the [law] enforcement agencies," he added.
The
government has already mandated that all vehicles with four or more
wheels — including trucks and buses — sold from December 1, 2017, have
to be fitted with FASTags or RFID tags.
After December 1, the number of FASTags has almost doubled to 14 lakh from 7.5 lakh.
These tags store data such as vehicle registration and class of vehicle, which help arrive at the exact toll to be charged.
The
tags have encrypted vehicle data such as engine and chassis number as
well. These are also enabled to store other vehicle compliance-related
data, including those related to emissions or pollution and insurance.
10 Mar 2018, 06:50 AM