FASTag mandatory from January 1, commuters won't be required to stop at toll plazas The FASTags were launched in the year 2016, and four banks together issued nearly a lakh of them. By 2017, their numbers went up to seven lakh. Share Via Email | A+A A- By ANI NEW DELHI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that FASTag is being made mandatory for all vehicles in the country from the new year. Addressing a virtual function here, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs said, FASTag will be enforced from January 1, 2021. Enumerating its benefits, he said, it is useful for the commuters as they will not need to stop at toll plazas for cash payments and it also saves time and fuel.