Latest news with #FASTags
NDTV
4 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Your FASTag Could Be Blacklisted Soon, New Rule Will Hit Drivers Hard
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has strengthened its policy to report and blacklist "loose FASTags", not affixed to the vehicle's windscreen; these tags are also known as "tag-in-hand" to ensure smooth tolling operations and authenticity of the Electronic Toll Collection system. This move aims to address operational challenges caused by vehicle owners deliberately not fixing FASTags to their windscreens, leading to lane congestion, false chargebacks, and misuse in closed-loop tolling systems. Why NHAI Took This Decision NHAI's move comes ahead of the rollout of new systems like the Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. NHAI took this strict decision to prevent disruptions in the Electronic Toll Collection framework, which can result in unnecessary delays at toll plazas and inconvenience to other National Highway users. With the penetration rate of FASTag exceeding 98%, this initiative aims to make toll operations more efficient, ensuring seamless and comfortable journeys for National Highway users. Process for FASTag Blacklisting According to a statement by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, to ensure timely corrective measures, NHAI has provided a dedicated email ID and has directed the Toll Collection Agencies and Concessionaires to immediately report such FASTags. Based on the reports received, NHAI will take immediate action to initiate blacklisting/hotlisting of the reported FASTags. Impact on Vehicle Owners While this initiative may require vehicle owners to be more vigilant about FASTag usage, it's unlikely to increase problems for compliant users. In fact, it should lead to a better experience for all National Highway users by reducing delays and congestion at toll plazas. What Should Common FASTag Users Do? To avoid blacklisting, FASTag users should: Ensure Proper FASTag Installation: Fix the FASTag securely to the vehicle's windscreen. Complete KYC Verification: Update your Know Your Customer (KYC) details with the issuing bank or digital wallet provider. Maintain Sufficient Balance: Keep adequate funds in the FASTag wallet to avoid insufficient balance issues. Monitor FASTag Status: Regularly check for alerts from the bank or FASTag provider. The ministry said in the statement that loose FASTags or "tag-in-hand" pose a challenge to the efficiency of Electronic Toll Collection operations. This initiative will help to make toll operations more efficient, ensuring seamless & comfortable journeys for the National Highway users.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Loose FASTags to be blacklisted by NHAI; know how it will impact vehicle owners
What Are Loose FASTags? Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills What did NHAI say about blacklisting loose FASTags? Why does NHAI want to blacklist loose FASTags? Loose FASTags will be immediately reported by toll operators 'To ensure smooth tolling operations and strengthen reporting of 'Loose FASTags', NHAI has further streamlined its policy for the Toll Collecting Agencies and Concessionaires to immediately report and blacklist 'loose FASTags', that are also commonly called 'tag-in-hand'. Loose FASTags or "tag-in-hand" pose a challenge to the efficiency of Electronic Toll Collection operations. This initiative will help to make toll operations more efficient, ensuring seamless & comfortable journeys for the National Highway users.' Why is identifying loose FASTags challenging in some states? On July 11, 2025, the National Highways Authority of India NHAI ) announced that it has streamlined its policy to allow for the immediate reporting and blacklisting of 'loose FASTags ' more commonly known as 'tag-in-hand'. NHAI explained that this decision came after they observed that some vehicle owners intentionally fail to attach the FASTag s to their vehicles' windscreens , opting instead to hold the tags in their hand in front of the highway toll FASTag camera a press release dated July 11, 2025, NHAI said: 'FASTags are sometimes deliberately not fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle by the owners. Such practices pose operational challenges leading to lane congestion, generation of false chargebacks, misuse in closed loop tolling system, causing overall disruption of the Electronic Toll Collection framework, resulting in unnecessary delays at toll plazas and inconvenience to other National Highway users.'Continue reading to learn more about loose FASTags and their effect on vehicle Agarwal, Partner, Risk Consulting (Infrastructure), EY India, explains: 'Loose FASTags refer to active RFID toll tags (FASTags) that are not affixed to the registered vehicle's windscreen as mandated, but instead are kept unattached — held manually near sensors and are swapped between different category of vehicles. This unauthorized practice not only defeats the core objective of FASTag-enabled tolling but has also led to operational and financial repercussions.'In the press release, it was said that to ensure timely corrective measures, NHAI has provided a dedicated email ID and has directed the Toll Collection Agencies and concessionaires to immediately report such loose FASTags. The NHAI press release said that 'Based on the reports received, NHAI will take immediate action to initiate blacklisting / hotlisting of the reported FASTags'.Anurag Singh, Advisor, Primus Partners, explains: "FastTags are supposed to be mandatorily fixed on the Windshield, and those which are not, are supposed to be immediately blacklisted. However they are sold by small vendors, who may give the tag to customer and many tolling booths look the other way. Fast tags are deliberately kept loose to 'cheat' the system eg. In closed-loop toll models (entry and exit-based billing), users may swap FASTags between vehicles, allowing for toll evasion. Or a truck using a FASTag registered for a car triggers a chargeback or refund request by the bank due to vehicle-class discrepancy."Agarwal from EY India says that loose FASTags disrupt the system and at times even game the system by paying a lower toll says: 'The loose FASTags are swapped between vehicles from different categories i.e. For example, drivers may use FASTags from smaller vehicles or unrelated categories to pay lower tolls leading to toll fraud, resulting in loss of toll revenue for toll collecting company as well as the government (NHAI). Moreover, manual scanning results in lane congestion, defeating the purpose of seamless, automated tolling. Currently, the tolling system does not match the tag to the vehicle's ANPR number plates due to implementation related challenges which still persist in ANPR systems.'Singh says: "Loose FASTags require manual scanning, loose FASTag users are prone to arguments etc. which delays the process and causes lane congestion. For law abiding citizens, it is best practice to put the FASTag on the windscreen. The framework for dealing with 'cheaters' exists, but has a varying level of compliance across different toll booths."NHAI in the press release said:Agarwal from EY India says: 'In the current tolling system, identifying loose FASTags remains a major challenge. Toll plaza scanners only read the tag data - they do not cross check whether the tag is actually affixed to the correct vehicle by matching with its registration number.'Agarwal adds: 'While ANPR ( Automatic Number Plate Recognition ) technology could help verify vehicle identity, it is constrained by ANPR's effective implementation i.e. many vehicles still lack ANPR-compliant number plates or have plates but are not installed at an appropriate location making it unreadable. In states like Maharashtra, for example, ANPR number plates are not even mandatory.'
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Toll tax collections via FASTags jump 19.6% to ₹20,682 crore in Q1 FY26: NETC data
₹20,682 crore in Q1 FY26, reveals NETC data data-item-target-url=/auto/news/ data-item-story-segment=Others> Toll tax collection across India has registered a double-digit growth in Q1 FY26. Check Offers Toll tax collections across India via FASTags have surged by 19.6 per cent to ₹ 20,682 crore in the first quarter of FY26. The data released by National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) has revealed that toll collections across state and national highways through FASTag rose by 19.6 per cent in the first quarter (April-June) of the current financial year. The NETC has also revealed that the number of toll plaza users has increased by double digits. The data released by NETC revealed that the number of toll users increased by 16.2 per cent to 1,173 million (117.3 crore) in the April-June quarter as compared to 1,009.87 million (100.987 crore) registered in the same period a year ago. This surge in toll tax collection comes after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) increased the toll charges by an average of four to five per cent on highway sections across the country from April 1, 2025. Also, the government decided to reduce the toll charges on the stretches of highways and expressways where there are tunnels, bridges and elevated corridors. Meanwhile, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, had announced that the Indian government will introduce a FASTag-based annual pass, priced at ₹ 3,000, for private vehicles effective August 15 in a step towards hassle-free highway travel. This pass is claimed to reduce the travel costs for highway users. The FASTag-based annual pass can be used on state and national highways and expressways. The annual pass will be valid for one year from the date of purchase or for 200 trips, whichever is earlier. The FASTag-based annual pass will be introduced across the country on this Independence Day. Also, the government has decided to track and penalise the highway users who don't paste the FASTag stickers to the designated spot on the vehicle's windshield. Such users of loose FASTags will be reported and blacklisted immediately after being tracked at the toll plaza. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 15 Jul 2025, 09:06 am IST
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
FASTag update: NHAI to blacklist ‘Loose FASTags'; 5 things travellers must know
Travellers, listen to this! The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is getting strict with its rules and regulations around FASTags. It is being done to tackle rising toll fraud and reduce congestion on the toll booths. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a recent directive, NHAI has issued to immediately blacklist 'loose' FASTags—those not properly fixed to the vehicle's windscreen. So if you are planning a road trip with a loose FASTag, get in line. On this note, let's have a look at India's toll plazas, here's what you need to know to avoid fines and delays. NHAI to Blacklist 'Loose' FASTags Starting now, FASTags in hand or loosely placed won't be accepted. Drivers need to fix them to the windshield else they will be blacklisted by toll operators. The move is part of a broader crackdown on fraudulent use of FASTags. The policy aims to enforce proper tagging protocols. Once blacklisted, these tags cannot be used to pay tolls electronically, and vehicles will be denied entry through FASTag lanes. Aims at preventing fraud and traffic This main aim of the move is to stop drivers from misusing tags by transferring them between vehicles. In addition to this, hand handled tags also slow down lane operations causing long queues at toll plazas. By eliminating such misuse, NHAI hopes to make toll transactions faster and traffic movement more efficient. New FASTag Rules in 2025 NHAI is rolling out stricter measures as part of the updated FASTag policy for 2025: Only one FASTag per vehicle will be allowed. All FASTag users must complete KYC with their issuing bank or app. Tags that remain inactive for over 30 days or are misused repeatedly (more than twice a month) may be blacklisted automatically. These steps aim to ensure genuine usage and reduce operational inefficiencies on national highways. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Blacklisted tags immediate lane denial If your tag is blacklisted, it will immediately get 'Blacklist'. It will remain no longer valid at any toll plaza across India. This means travellers will either have to pay tolls in cash—where permitted—or face rejection at FASTag-exclusive lanes. Blacklisted tags are flagged centrally, and toll booth systems are updated in real time. A 48-hour warning may be issued before full deactivation in some cases, depending on the violation type. What to Do if your FASTag is blocked If your FASTag gets blacklisted due to being loose or inactive, the first step is to contact your issuing bank or digital wallet provider. Fix the tag securely on the windscreen using adhesive backing, recharge your balance, and complete KYC if pending. Once the issue is resolved, the tag can be reinstated after a formal request and verification. As road travel becomes increasingly digital and toll plazas go cashless, proper FASTag usage is no longer optional—it's mandatory.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
FASTag users alert! You may risk blacklisting over this common mistake
The National Highways Authority of India has tightened its policy against the misuse of FASTags, specifically targeting what are known as "loose FASTags" or "tag-in-hand" practices. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed the update in an official release, ANI reported. The new directive instructs toll collecting agencies and concessionaires to immediately report instances where FASTags are not affixed to a vehicle's windscreen. This is a deliberate act by some users that disrupts the automated toll collection system . NHAI has also provided a dedicated email ID for reporting such violations, enabling swift action including blacklisting or hotlisting of the reported FASTags. The initiative comes as NHAI prepares to roll out major advancements in tolling infrastructure, including the FASTag-based Annual Pass System and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. Ensuring the proper placement and use of FASTags is seen as essential to maintaining system reliability and tolling efficiency under these upcoming frameworks. Loose FASTags present several operational challenges. They cause lane-level congestion, trigger incorrect chargebacks, and are often misused in closed-loop systems, ultimately resulting in delays and inconvenience for other highway users. To curb this growing issue, NHAI has asked toll operators to act promptly. Upon receiving a report, the agency will initiate the blacklisting process to prevent further misuse of the concerned FASTag. Earlier in June, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs 3,000 will be introduced on Independence Day. Valid for a year or up to 200 trips, the pass is expected to further simplify highway travel.
