FASTag-based road toll collection system to remain, Government clarifies

ANI April 18, 2025 214 views

The government has denied reports of replacing FASTag with satellite-based tolling by 2025. Instead, an upgraded ANPR-FASTag hybrid system will be tested at select toll plazas for seamless movement. Violators will face penalties, including FASTag suspension. The nationwide rollout depends on the pilot's success and public response.

"No decision has been taken regarding nationwide satellite-based tolling from May 2025" – Ministry of Road Transport
New Delhi, April 18: The central government has clarified that the satellite-based tolling system will not be launched from May 1, 2025, in replacement to the existing FASTag-based toll collection system.

Key Points

1

FASTag remains primary toll system despite earlier satellite-based reports

2

ANPR-FASTag combo to enable barrier-free tolling at select plazas

3

Non-compliance may lead to FASTag suspension and penalties

4

System expansion depends on performance and user feedback

The clarification comes after reports emerged stating satellite-based toll systems will replace FASTag toll collection starting in May.

"This is to clarify that no such decision has been taken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways or National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the nationwide implementation of satellite-based tolling from 1st May 2025," said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in a statement.

To enable seamless, barrier-free movement of vehicles through toll plazas and reduce travel time, an ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System will be implemented at selected toll plazas, the ministry has supplemented.

The advanced tolling system will combine 'Automatic Number Plate Recognition' (ANPR) technology, which identifies vehicles by reading their number plates, with the existing 'FASTag system' that utilises Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) for toll deduction.

Under this system, vehicles will be charged based on their identification through high-performance ANPR cameras and FASTag Readers, eliminating the need to stop at toll plazas.

In the event of non-compliance, E-Notices will be served to the violators, and non-payment may result in the suspension of FASTag and other VAHAN-related penalties.

The ministry stated that NHAI has invited bids for the implementation of the 'ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System,' which will be installed at selected toll plazas.

Based on the system's performance, efficiency, and user response, a decision will be made regarding its implementation nationwide, the ministry said.

All National Highway Toll Plazas operate on ICD 2.5 protocol which gives real-time tag status, hence the FASTag customers can recharge any time before crossing the Toll Plaza.

The FASTag customers are encouraged to link their FASTag wallet to UPI/Current/Saving Accounts under auto-recharge settings to eliminate the need for manual recharges. Customers can continue to recharge their FASTag any time before reaching the toll, using a variety of payment channels such as UPI, net banking, and more.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Good to see the government clarifying this quickly. There was so much confusion about FASTags being replaced. The new ANPR system sounds promising though - no more waiting at toll plazas! 🚗💨
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Priya M.
I appreciate that they're testing the new system at select locations first before nationwide rollout. Hope they consider feedback from regular highway users like me who travel between Mumbai and Pune weekly.
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Amit S.
While the barrier-less system sounds great, I'm concerned about the accuracy of ANPR cameras. Last month my FASTag was charged twice due to a system error. Hope they've improved the tech before implementing this.
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Sunita R.
The auto-recharge feature has been a lifesaver! No more last-minute panics when approaching toll plazas. Though I wish they'd make the UPI linking process simpler - took me 3 attempts to get it working properly.
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Vikram J.
Respectful criticism: The government needs to improve communication about these changes. Many of my truck driver friends only heard about this through WhatsApp forwards. Official SMS alerts would help.
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Neha P.
The combination of ANPR + FASTag sounds like a smart upgrade! Hope it reduces the traffic jams at toll plazas during peak hours. Fingers crossed the implementation goes smoothly 🤞

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Tags:
FASTag toll collection NHAI ANPR satellite tolling road transport ministry
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