Latest news with #FASTag
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
UPI numbers hit all-time high in May, cross Rs 25 trn for the first time
Transactions on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) touched an all-time high of 18.68 billion in volume and ₹25.14 trillion in value in May, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data revealed on Sunday. The May numbers were up 4 per cent in volume and 5 per cent in value, compared to 17.89 billion and ₹23.95 trillion, respectively in April. The transaction volume also reflects a 33 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) jump, while the value was up 23 per cent. The previous record numbers were in March 2025, when the digital payment system clocked 18.3 billion in volume and ₹24.77 trillion in value. The number of daily transactions too increased from 596 million in April to 602 million in May this year, leading to a rise in value from Rs 79,831 crore in April to Rs 81,106 crore in May. There were 464 million Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) transactions in May, up 3 per cent from 449 million in April. IMPS transactions also climbed 3 per cent in value terms from ₹6.22 trillion in April to ₹6.41 trillion in May. This was seen at 462 million in volume and ₹6.67 trillion in value in March. The numbers in May were down by 17 per cent in volume and up by 6 per cent in value compared to the same period in 2024. The number of daily transactions dipped from 14.98 million to 14.96 million between April and May this year, leading to a drop in daily value from ₹20,722 crore to ₹20,673 crore. On the other hand, the number of FASTag transactions increased by 5 per cent to 404 million in volume during the month under review versus 383 million in April. The value also zoomed 4 per cent to ₹7,087 crore, compared to ₹6,801 crore in April. In March, this was seen at 379 million and Rs 6,800 crore, respectively. The May FASTag numbers were 16 per cent up in volume and 20 per cent in value versus the same month in 2024. The number of daily transactions increased from 12.75 million to 13.05 million, raising the value to around ₹229 crore from ₹227 crore during the same period. During the month under review, the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) also jumped 11 per cent to 105 million transactions from 95 million in April. The value of transactions during May this year was ₹28,703 crore, up 8 per cent compared to ₹26,618 crore in April. The number of daily transactions was 3.37 million in volume and ₹926 crore in value, up from 3.18 million and ₹887 crore, respectively in April. AePS saw a 16 per cent increase in volume and 23 per cent in value compared to May 2024.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Toll Booth Removal: Delhi to Eliminate Physical Toll Booths at Borders with New Tech Implementation, ET Infra
Advt Advt In a move that could reduce, if not end, the long queues at the Capital's borders, agencies including Delhi govt, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the road transport ministry on Friday unanimously agreed to remove physical booths on the highways to collect entry fee and green cess from commercial a meeting chaired by Union road transport secretary V Umashankar, it was decided to have Multi-Lane Free Flow (MMLF) toll and entry fee collection system with MCD stating that completely doing away with entry tax would cause revenue loss of around Rs 800 crore annually and severely dent its finances, sources MMLF is deployed, vehicles will not have to stop as overhead cameras across the lanes can read the vehicle registration number and deduct the charge from FASTag wallet linked to the has learnt that there was also unanimity among all agencies to find a solution to the collection of Environment Compensation Cess (ECC) or green cess collected from heavy commercial vehicles entering Delhi at borders, which causes long traffic snarls on NHs and expressways connecting Delhi. The meeting was attended by officials including Delhi chief secretary Dharmendra and MCD commissioner Ashwini said while the municipal corporation has approached the Supreme Court seeking a single unified value for ECC, which would pave the way for integration of FASTag and MCD's RFID tags to collect the green tax and entry fee, Haryana govt has pleaded for stopping ECC collection altogether. They added that now NHAI will also approach the apex court seeking a similar relief citing that now two peripheral expressways are operational for vehicles that are not destined for said road transport minister Nitin Gadkari will soon chair a meeting to take stock of the plan and progress of getting rid of these traffic choke points at Delhi borders. Long traffic jams have become the new normal on NHs and expressways due to physical booths which have been put up for collection of entry fee and ECC at five points - Sirhaul, Ghazipur, Badarpur, Tikri and Kundli. While taxis and trucks are mandated to have a pre-paid instrument, drivers often avoid recharging them and end up paying cash, adding to the meeting also took stock of the progress of the plans to decongest Ashram-Badarpur section of NH-2 and plan for an elevated road from INA to Nelson Mandela Marg near Vasant Kunj and its extension to Gurgaon-Faridabad road. NHAI informed the meeting that the authority has invited bids for preparing detailed project reports for these two roads.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Physical toll booths at city borders to be removed
In a move that could reduce, if not end, the long queues at the Capital's borders, agencies including Delhi govt, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the road transport ministry on Friday unanimously agreed to remove physical booths on the highways to collect entry fee and green cess from commercial vehicles. At a meeting chaired by Union road transport secretary V Umashankar, it was decided to have Multi-Lane Free Flow (MMLF) toll and entry fee collection system with MCD stating that completely doing away with entry tax would cause revenue loss of around Rs 800 crore annually and severely dent its finances, sources said. Once MMLF is deployed, vehicles will not have to stop as overhead cameras across the lanes can read the vehicle registration number and deduct the charge from FASTag wallet linked to the vehicle. TOI has learnt that there was also unanimity among all agencies to find a solution to the collection of Environment Compensation Cess (ECC) or green cess collected from heavy commercial vehicles entering Delhi at borders, which causes long traffic snarls on NHs and expressways connecting Delhi. The meeting was attended by officials including Delhi chief secretary Dharmendra and MCD commissioner Ashwini Kumar. Officials said while the municipal corporation has approached the Supreme Court seeking a single unified value for ECC, which would pave the way for integration of FASTag and MCD's RFID tags to collect the green tax and entry fee, Haryana govt has pleaded for stopping ECC collection altogether. They added that now NHAI will also approach the apex court seeking a similar relief citing that now two peripheral expressways are operational for vehicles that are not destined for Delhi. Sources said road transport minister Nitin Gadkari will soon chair a meeting to take stock of the plan and progress of getting rid of these traffic choke points at Delhi borders. Long traffic jams have become the new normal on NHs and expressways due to physical booths which have been put up for collection of entry fee and ECC at five points - Sirhaul, Ghazipur, Badarpur, Tikri and Kundli. While taxis and trucks are mandated to have a pre-paid instrument, drivers often avoid recharging them and end up paying cash, adding to the chaos. The meeting also took stock of the progress of the plans to decongest Ashram-Badarpur section of NH-2 and plan for an elevated road from INA to Nelson Mandela Marg near Vasant Kunj and its extension to Gurgaon-Faridabad road. NHAI informed the meeting that the authority has invited bids for preparing detailed project reports for these two roads.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Govt plans FASTag annual toll pass for unlimited highway travel: Check proposed fee, benefits, rollout date
The central government is reportedly working on a new toll collection system that may allow private vehicle owners to pay a single annual fee of ₹3,000 for unlimited travel on national highways. This proposal is part of the government's plan to improve highway travel, reduce costs, and simplify toll payments using digital technology. What is the FASTag annual toll pass? The proposed FASTag Annual Toll Pass is expected to replace the current system of toll payment per journey. Private vehicle owners who opt for this plan can travel across national highways and expressways without facing recurring deductions each time they cross a toll booth. The aim is to reduce congestion, promote digital payments, and ease the travel experience through a one-time payment system. According to reports, the policy will also use GPS and automated tracking to support revenue collection and ensure compensation for toll operators. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 10 Most Beautiful Women In The World OMGIFacts Undo Two payment models under consideration Annual toll pass The key proposal involves a flat ₹3,000 annual payment that gives car owners unlimited access to national and state expressways. This model eliminates the need to reload FASTag accounts frequently or track individual toll deductions. It especially benefits people who travel frequently by road, including daily commuters and commercial vehicle operators. Live Events This plan also supports the government's larger push toward digital payments and simplified governance. Distance-based pricing For occasional highway users, the proposed system includes a second model: a distance-based toll of ₹50 per 100 kilometers. This option avoids asking such users to pay a flat annual fee that may not match their travel habits. With this flexible system, drivers can pay according to their actual highway usage. The government plans to build a scalable tolling model that accommodates both frequent and occasional users. Benefits of the proposed toll pass No extra documentation Users with existing FASTag accounts will not be required to submit fresh documents or update their accounts to switch to the new system. Smooth transition The new system aims to work with the current FASTag setup, ensuring a smooth experience for existing users and avoiding disruption during the change. Cancellation of lifetime plan The previously discussed plan for a ₹30,000 lifetime FASTag valid for 15 years has been dropped. The shift now is toward flexible and accessible tolling options. Infrastructure compatibility The system is expected to function with current FASTag infrastructure, which could make the rollout easier and faster. Barrier-free toll booths planned Another key element of the proposal is the removal of physical toll barriers. The government plans to phase out existing boom barriers and sensor systems in favor of a completely barrier-free setup. Technologies such as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), satellite tracking, or GPS may be used to allow vehicles to move through toll points without stopping. The goal is to reduce congestion, fuel waste, and delays caused by toll collection. Implementation timeline unclear As of now, there is no official announcement on when the new toll system will begin. While reports suggest planning is underway, final confirmation from the government is still pending. The proposed toll system reflects a broader shift in India's transport policy, focusing on digital solutions and improving user convenience across the country's road network.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India proposes new FASTag toll system with Rs 3,000 annual pass: What it is, pricing options and all you need to know
In a bid to modernize India's toll collection system and enhance the convenience of travelling along highways, the central government is said to be contemplating a fresh tolling regime. According to the reports, the proposal seeks to institute an annual pass system with unlimited travel on national highways for a single payment of Rs 3,000. This program is one of a series of plans aimed at streamlining road travel, making it less expensive and more efficient, and digitally integrated, avoiding the hassle of repeated recharges on FASTags, along with new models of pricing and improved infrastructure. What is FASTag annual toll pass proposed in India The Indian government is set to introduce a new FASTag Annual Toll Pass, aimed at revolutionizing toll collection on national highways and expressways. Under this proposal, private vehicle owners can opt for an annual pass by paying Rs 3,000, allowing unlimited travel without recurring toll deductions. This initiative seeks to replace the current per-journey toll system, reduce traffic congestion at toll booths, and promote seamless digital payments. A distance-based pricing alternative is also being considered. By leveraging GPS and automated tracking, the policy aims to offer a hassle-free travel experience while ensuring efficient revenue collection and compensation for toll operators. FASTag Annual Toll Pass: Two payment options under the proposed policy by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Book Your Daily Profit By 11 AM With This Superclass By Mr. Bala TradeWise Learn More Undo Annual Toll Pass The soul of the plan is in the implementation of a single-payment-per-year toll system. Under this scheme, car owners would be able to pay Rs 3,000 annually for unrestricted use of all national highways, expressways, and state expressways. This is a fixed-fee system that is meant to eliminate the hassle of reloading FASTag accounts and monitoring individual toll deductions each time a trip is taken. By providing unrestricted use of highways for the entire year, the new system particularly favours frequent users of these roads, including commuters and transporters. This flat rate system also fits with the government's vision of digital governance through simplification of payments and mitigation of dependence on transaction-based tolling. Distance-based pricing Whereas the annual pass system aims at heavy users, the new policy does not neglect the less frequent users of highways. For them, a pay-as-you-go model that is flexible has been suggested, costing Rs 50 for every 100 kilometers. This makes sure that periodic users are not asked to pay a uniform annual fee that could be much more than their actual usage of tolls. Rather, they can pay in proportion to the distance covered, which makes the system fairer. This two-pricing model is in line with the government's vision to construct a scalable tolling solution that serves a wide range of users. Others who do not want to make an annual payment can also utilise highways under a reasonable and predictable tariff regime, without being subject to financial disadvantage. Benefits of FASTag Annual Toll Pass No new documentation required Vehicle owners using FASTags won't need to provide additional documents or update their accounts to adopt the new annual pass system. Smooth user experience The integration ensures continuity for millions of existing FASTag users, preventing confusion or disruptions common in large policy shifts. Cancellation of lifetime FASTag plan The earlier proposal for a Rs 30,000 lifetime FASTag valid for 15 years has been scrapped, signaling a shift towards more flexible and user-friendly tolling models. Compatibility with existing infrastructure The new system is designed to work seamlessly with current FASTag technology and accounts, making adoption easier and more efficient. Government's plan for seamless and barrier- free toll booths The other revolutionary element of the policy is the intention to do away with physical toll barriers within highway booths. The government intends phasing out booms and legacy sensor-based systems to adopt a totally barrier-free tolling regime. This innovation seeks to do away with the bottlenecks introduced by physical collection of tolls, leading to frequent congestion, vehicle idling, and wastage of fuel. The implementation of barrier-free tolling technologies—presumably using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), satellite-based location, or GPS-enabled technology—would enable cars to drive through toll zones at regular speeds without any halt. When will the new FASTag annual toll pass will be implemented To date, the government has not issued official word on the specifics of the proposed tolling system. Though reports indicate planning to be well advanced, no official policy announcement has been made and independent confirmation of the plan continues to wait. That said, the move represents an encouraging step in India's continuing push toward the development of its transport infrastructure and the provision of citizen-centric digital services. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
