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Key Points

The NHAI has streamlined its policy to report and blacklist loose FASTags, addressing operational challenges at toll plazas. Misuse of FASTags disrupts toll collection, causing delays and false chargebacks. A dedicated email system ensures swift reporting and blacklisting to maintain efficiency. This move supports upcoming initiatives like Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling for smoother highway travel.

Key Points: NHAI Streamlines FASTag Reporting to Blacklist Loose Tags

  • NHAI introduces dedicated email for reporting loose FASTags
  • Blacklisting aims to reduce toll plaza congestion
  • Policy supports upcoming MLFF tolling & Annual Pass System
  • FASTag misuse disrupts Electronic Toll Collection efficiency
2 min read

NHAI streamlines process to report and blacklist 'Loose FASTag'

NHAI tightens FASTag policy to curb misuse, ensuring smoother toll operations and reducing congestion with immediate blacklisting of loose tags.

"This initiative will help make toll operations more efficient, ensuring seamless & comfortable journeys for National Highway users. – NHAI"

New Delhi, July 11

To ensure smooth tolling operations and strengthen reporting of ‘Loose FASTags’, the NHAI on Friday said it has further streamlined its policy for the toll collecting agencies and concessionaires to immediately report and blacklist ‘loose FASTags’ -- also commonly called “tag-in-hand”.

In view of upcoming initiatives like the Annual Pass System and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling, it is critical to address this issue to ensure FASTag authenticity and system reliability, said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in a statement.

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,” the ministry highlighted.

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.

With penetration rate of over 98 per cent, FASTag has revolutionised the Electronic Toll Collection system in the country.

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,” said NHAI.

Earlier this month, the government reduced toll rates by up to 50 per cent on certain sections of National Highways that include structures like tunnels, bridges, flyovers, and elevated roads. The move is aimed at lowering travel costs and making road journeys more affordable for the public.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, and notified a new formula for calculating toll charges.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While this is a good step, I hope NHAI also improves their customer service. Last month my FASTag got blocked by mistake and it took 3 weeks to resolve. The system needs to be efficient on both ends.
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Aman W
I see many commercial vehicles using loose FASTags to avoid paying higher toll charges. This blacklisting policy should be strictly enforced, especially for truck operators who are the main culprits.
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Sarah B
As someone who frequently travels between Delhi and Jaipur, I've noticed the toll plazas have become much smoother since FASTag implementation. But yes, the loose tag issue needs to be fixed. Hope this new system works!
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Karthik V
The reduced toll rates on bridges and tunnels is a welcome move! Between this and the FASTag improvements, our highway journeys are becoming better. Just need better maintenance of roads now 🚗💨
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Neha E
I appreciate NHAI's efforts, but implementation is key. Will toll plaza staff actually report these cases properly? There needs to be strict monitoring and penalties for non-compliance from both users and operators.

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