New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS): Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IMHCL) on Monday entered into agreements with leading oil marketing companies for selling FASTags, or radio-frequency identification tags used to pay toll automatically on national highways, available at petrol pumps across the country.

This will help expand the FASTag programme's distribution network which is presently active at selected bank branches, an official statement said.

The tags available at petrol pumps are bank-neutral and can be linked to customers' choice of bank accounts.

"This not only provides flexibility and convenience to the FASTag users, but is also user friendly as there will be no requirement of fulfilling KYC obligations," the statement said.

Two mobile apps were also launched to enable real-time recharge of any FASTag through UPI and linking them with customer's bank account.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the FASTags may also work for purchasing fuel at petrol pumps in future.

He said the automobile sector had gained a lot from the leaps in the road sector with e-tolls enabling travelers to sail through toll plazas. He urged all state governments to implement it at their plazas as well.

The Minister said that under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) programme, it was proposed to bring all state and city toll plazas under one umbrella.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called upon the road and petroleum sector to join hands for a synergized future of alternative fuels. He said both can gain business on new stretches of national highways in view of a large volume of vehicles adding up every year in the country.

He said his ministry is working to bring 400 districts of the country in the city gas network within the coming two years and there was need to popularise the use of CNG and LNG in transport sector, which is 20-40 per cent cheaper than conventional fuel.

"These measures will eventually help NHAI cater to its commitment of providing a safe, smooth and seamless journey to commuters on national highways," he said.