The FASTag fiasco (India)

Frontline (The Hindu) ^ | November 30, 2019 | V. Sridhar

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Three years after the colossal failure of demonetisation the Narendra Modi government has embarked on a similar venture, the FASTag programme, this time targeting road users across the country. But just a day before the November 30 deadline, by which date all vehicles plying the highways would have been mandatorily required to affix an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag on their vehicles, the government blinked. And, like demonetisation, the design of this scheme also reflects a simpleton’s naivete. The announcement that those without the tag would be charged double the tariff at the toll gates set off a firestorm of protests on social media. On November 29, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that the scheme would come into force only on December 15.

The FASTag is a passive sticker which enables scanners at toll gates to automatically deduct the toll from users’ accounts. Gadkari and others claimed that this would ensure seamless movement of vehicles, resulting in time and fuel savings. While that is obviously an honourable motive for a countrywide rollout of the scheme, what Gadkari and others promoting the scheme did not say leaves much room for scepticism. First, the compulsion inflicted on road users—on the pain of having to pay double the normal toll—was obviously objectionable. This was reminiscent of demonetisation when citizens, especially the poor, were compelled to use non-cash forms of payment even when they did not have the means. The second objection arises from the legal, ethical and moral questions that arise from the fact that users are now being forced to not only install the tags but do it by using a platform that is privately owned.

[BobL]

Now if India only had some decent highways to toll, they’d really be doing good.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The FASTag is basically India's nationwide version of E-ZPass, SunPass and other U.S. tolling devices.

RIL, ICICI Bank and L&T Finance among big names rolling out FASTag (12/6/19)

[billyboy15]

I have ez pass and find it to be very convenient.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I do too. Incredibly convenient.

[IndianChief]

Now if India only had some decent highways to toll, they’d really be doing good.

The last few years have seen a great increase in both - the length of, and the quality of - the Indian Highway system. At least the Federally made ones linking all major cities.