Toll collection across the country will be entirely digital, and toll booths in the state will only accept payments via FASTag from April 1.
To reduce congestion, prevent disputes, curb fraud, and simplify payments, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Union Ministry of Road Transport have made significant changes to FASTag regulations. These changes were approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. As per the new FASTag rules implemented from February 17, additional penalty will be levied on vehicle owners with low balance, late payment or blacklisted tags.
Additional Charges for Non-Compliance
Vehicle owners may face hefty penalties for delayed toll payments or blacklisted FASTags. According to the new rules, if a FASTag remains inactive for more than 60 minutes before crossing the toll booth or for 10 minutes after crossing, the toll payment will not be accepted. Moreover, if the toll transaction is updated more than 15 minutes after the vehicle has passed through the toll reader, the FASTag holder will have to pay an additional charge.
Previously, vehicle owners could recharge their FASTags at toll booths, but under the new regulations, it must be preloaded with sufficient balance. Its accounts will now be categorized into two types: Whitelisted (Active) and Blacklisted (Inactive). A FASTag is blacklisted due to insufficient balance, pending KYC verification, or registration errors.
The primary goal of these changes is to make toll collection more transparent and efficient, helping to eliminate long queues at toll booths. Experts believe the new system will reduce failed toll transactions and encourage vehicle owners to manage their FASTag accounts more effectively.
9% Increase in FASTag Transactions
According to recent data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), FASTag transactions in November 2024 were recorded at 359 million, which increased by 6% to 382 million in December 2024. Additionally, the total transaction value rose by 9%, reaching Rs 6,642 crore in December, compared to Rs 6,070 crore in November 2024.
Important Precautions for Vehicle Owners
- Ensure your FASTag account has sufficient balance before starting a long journey.
- Regularly update your KYC details to prevent your FASTag from being blacklisted.
- Check the status of your account before reaching a toll booth to avoid inconvenience.
