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The FASTag sticker is placed on the car’s windscreen. It uses RFID technology to interact with scanners at toll plazas, and automatically deducts the toll amount.
Launched in 2014, FASTag was made mandatory in 2021.(Representative image/File)
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This system operates using a tag that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology, helping to significantly reduce the time spent in long queues at toll plazas.
On June 18, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced a FASTag-based annual pass priced at Rs 3,000 for non-commercial private vehicles, aiming to address toll plaza issues. This pass, effective from August 15, is valid for one year or 200 trips.
Previously, the UPSC has included questions on IRNSS in both Prelims and Mains exams. Therefore, let’s delve into the system to understand what it is all about.
RFID is a wireless tracking system that uses tags and readers to exchange information via radio waves. Tags can store encrypted information and can be high-memory, especially for industries like aviation. RFID tags consist of an integrated circuit and an antenna, allowing them to communicate with a reader. The reader translates the radio wave messages into data for the host computer system to analyse.
Unlike barcodes, which use printed lines for data entry into computers and require optical readers, RFID transmits data from chips to readers using radio waves, eliminating the need for a line of sight.
How To Make Payment?
Launched in 2014, it was made mandatory in 2021. The FASTag sticker is placed on the car’s windscreen. It uses RFID technology to interact with scanners at toll plazas, automatically deducting the toll amount from a linked account or wallet. To recharge your FASTag, you can transfer money through digital payment apps like GooglePay, PayTm, and PhonePe. You can also visit your bank’s website to do so.
What Is The ANPR FASTag System (AFS)?
The Ministry is set to introduce a barrier-free tolling system that combines ANPR technology with FASTag for toll deductions. Vehicles will be identified by ANPR cameras and FASTag readers, enabling a smooth passage through toll plazas.
The government has delayed the implementation of GNSS for toll collection due to privacy concerns. GNSS calculates tolls based on the distance travelled using satellites and onboard units. The adoption has been postponed until India develops a comprehensive satellite system to address these privacy issues.
What Is NavIC System And How Is It Related?
Navigation with India Constellation or NavIC, developed by ISRO, is an independent navigation satellite system with seven satellites for both defence and civilian use. It was conceived after the Kargil war when India couldn’t access the American GPS. The first satellite was launched in 2013, and the constellation was completed in 2016. However, rubidium atomic clock failures have left only five of the 11 satellites fully operational.
NavIC offers Standard Positioning Service for general and commercial use, and Restricted Service for defence forces. This indigenous system ensures reliability for defence purposes, unlike global systems such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS.
The idea for an indigenous GNSS emerged in 1999 after the Kargil war when India couldn’t use the American GPS. The first satellite, IRNSS 1A, was launched on July 1, 2013.
The IRNSS constellation was completed with the launch of IRNSS-1G on April 28, 2016. However, rubidium atomic clock failures affected several satellites, and only five of the 11 satellites launched in the Rs 2,250 crore NavIC programme are fully operational, according to ISRO.
NavIC satellites cover India and neighbouring regions, providing both Standard Positioning Service and Restricted Service.
Despite the availability of global systems like GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (Europe), Beidou (China), and QZSS (Japan), India developed the IRNSS to ensure reliable defence use.
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