22-Jul-2021: All lanes of fee plazas on National Highways declared as “FASTag Lane of the fee plaza” for collection of fee through digital payment

Government has declared all lanes of fee plazas on National Highways as “FASTag lane of the fee plaza”  for collection of user fee through digital payment via FASTag w.e.f. midnight of 15th/16th February 2021. At present, all fee plazas on National Highways are fully equipped with FASTag system. After declaration of all lanes as FASTag Lanes, the overall FASTag penetration has reached approximately 96%, from 80% on 14th February, 2021. As on 14th July, 2021, more than 3.54 crore FASTags have been issued.

Improvement in process/technology for collection of user fee is a continuous process. Efforts are also made towards adoption of new technology & process.

Mandatory provision of an airbag for the driver and co-driver has been made under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

14-Feb-2021: FASTag declared mandatory from midnight tomorrow

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has decided that all lanes in the fee plazas on National Highways shall be declared as “FASTag lane of the fee plaza” w.e.f midnight of 15th/16th February 2021.Therefore, as per NH Fee Rules 2008, any vehicle not fitted with FASTag or vehicle without valid, functional FASTag entering into the FASTag lane of the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category.

In a statement issued today, the Ministry has clarified that this has been done to further promote fee payment through digital mode, reduce waiting time and fuel consumption, and provide for a seamless passage through the fee plazas. The Ministry had mandated fitment of FASTag in M&N categories of motor vehicles with effect from 1st January 2021.

Category ‘M’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. And Category ‘N’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry persons in addition to goods.

31-Dec-2020: Mandatory implementation of FASTag w.e.f new year day; hybrids lanes to remain operational till 15th February, 2021

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has mandated fitment of FASTag with effect from 1st January, 2021, in M and N categories of motor vehicles sold before 1st December, 2017. Category ‘M’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. Category ‘N’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry persons in addition to goods. It is clarified that this Central Motor Vehicle Rule stands in force as it is.

However, at hybrid lanes of fee plazas on National Highways, fee payment can be made through FASTag as well as in cash mode till 15th February, 2021. Moreover, in FASTag lanes of fee plazas, payment of fees will continue to be through FASTag only.

The Ministry has clarified that it is committed to implementation of 100% E-tolling at fee plazas from 1st January, 2021 onwards, mandated under CMV Rules, as amended.

26-Aug-2020: FASTag made mandatory for availing all discounts on the National Highways Fee Plazas

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made the use of FASTag mandatory for availing return journey discount or any other exemptions on Toll Fee Plazas. Users who wish to claim a discount for making return journey within 24 hours or any other local exemptions, shall be required to have a valid functional FASTag on the vehicle. A Gazette notification no. 534 E dated 24th August, 2020 to amend the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008  has been notified in this respect.

This is another step towards promoting the use of digital payments on Fee Plazas of NHs. The fee payable towards such discounts shall be paid through pre-paid instruments, smart card or through FASTag or on board unit (transponder) or any other such device only.

The amendments to the Rules would enable- 

1. For discount on return journey within 24 hours, it would be through FASTag or such other device and automatic and no requirement for a pass.
2. ii.  For discounts on all other cases, having a valid FASTag is made necessary.
3. The amendment would also enable that in cases where there is a discount available for a return journey within 24 hours, there is no need for a prior receipt or intimation and the citizen would get the discount automatically if return journey is made within 24 hours with a valid and a functional FASTag on the vehicle.

16-Mar-2020: Deadline for Mandatory Payment of Tolls at NHS

In July 2019, Government announced the FASTag mandate of declaring all lanes except one lane of National Highways fee plazas as “FASTag lane of Fee Plaza” w.e.f. 1st December 2019. In order to facilitate sufficient lead time to citizens to obtain FASTag, the mandate was shifted to 15th December 2019 and the system was implemented across the country. Considering the request of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and keeping in view inconvenience to citizens, Government decided that 25 percent of the FASTag lanes may be temporarily converted to hybrid lanes with the approval of Regional Officer concerned for next 30 days from 15th December 2019. It was further decided to relax the conditions regarding declaration of FASTag fee lanes for 30 days from 15th January 2020 at only 65 fee plazas of NHAI so that citizens are not put into inconvenience. These 65 fee plazas have been allowed to operate up to 25 per cent of all fee lanes as hybrid (cash plus FASTag) lanes during this period. For rest of the fee plazas the system has been implemented as per mandate.

Further, the relaxation was provided to only 30 fee plazas of NHAI for 30 days from 14th February 2020, and these 30 fee plazas have been allowed to operate up to 25 per cent of all fee lanes as hybrid (cash plus FASTag) lanes during this period. 

Congestion and waiting time for valid FASTag vehicle in FASTag lanes has reduced significantly.

23-Feb-2020: NHAI safeguards the commuting of FASTag users: Charges double the defaulters

RFID based FASTag, an electronic toll collection system implemented by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), has proved to be instrumental in easing lives of commuters on National Highways within two months of its nationwide implementation.

Over 1.55 crore FASTags have been issued through multiple Point of Sale (PoS). NHAI has been observing increased sale rate of FASTags which is a clear indication of this digital system being accepted well. As a result, FASTag transaction has crossed a landmark count of 4.0 million per day.

In order to give prime importance to its existing FASTag users, dissuade defaulters and further encourage adoption of FASTags by NH commuters, vehicles without FASTags entering into FASTag lane are being charged double the toll fee.  Till now, a total number of 18.00 lakh vehicles defaulted by encroaching FASTag lanes across India has resulted a double charge cash toll accumulation of about Rs. 20.0 cr.

As a measure, it has also resulted in smooth and hassle-free movement of FASTag users on highways. The implementation of FASTags across the country has met with the desired response so far. The adoption of FASTags also means that it has brought in the much-needed transparency in collection at the toll booths.

In order to further increase digital collection of user fee via FASTag at NH fee plazas, NHAI has recently waived off the FASTag cost of Rs. 100/- for NHAI FASTag from 15 February 2020 to 29 February 2020. Any road users can visit any authorized physical point-of-sale locations with a valid Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle and get a NHAI FASTag free of cost.

16-Oct-2019: One Nation One FASTag

Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari  inaugurated the “One Nation One FASTag” scheme at the Indian Mobile Congress in New Delhi. The plan aims to integrate the collection of toll digitally and ensure seamless mobility of vehicles across India.

The scheme will be implemented from December 1, 2019, and can be availed upon activation by new cars having Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on national and state highways throughout the country.

What is ‘FASTag’?

FASTags are stickers that are affixed to the windscreen of vehicles and use RFID technology to enable digital, contactless payment of tolls without having to stop at toll gates. The tags are linked to bank accounts and other payment methods. As a car crosses a toll plaza, the amount is automatically deducted, and a notification is sent to the registered mobile phone number. Sensors are placed on toll barriers, and the barriers open for vehicles having valid FASTags.

A FASTag is valid for five years and needs to be recharged only as per requirement.

At present, 60 lakh vehicles in India have FASTags. According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), these devices will make passing through tolls considerably smoother since drivers will no longer have to carry cash or stop to make a transaction.

‘One Nation One FASTag’ scheme: At the conference, Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between state departments and other agencies for bringing in a unified electronic tolling solution across the country. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana signed MoUs with the Indian Highways Management Company Limited, an arm of NHAI, to accept FASTags on their state highway tolls.

The existing FASTags under various jurisdictions of states and agencies would be enabled under this scheme, thus integrating the collection of toll digitally so that seamless services can be provided to consumers all over India.

The move is significant given that the Centre has decided that from December 1, all national highway toll plazas will accept tolls only through FASTags.

9-Aug-2018: Over 26 Lakh Fastags Issued so Far

The Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha informed that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched FASTag programme to allow cashless payment of user fee for near non-stop movement of vehicles through toll plazas.

As on 3rd Aug, 2018, 26,59,042 RFID Tags have been issued.

The Minister further informed that financial concession is given to FASTag users. For FASTag users there is provision of cashback as mentioned below:

1. For FY 18-19 – 5% of cashback
2. For FY 19-20 – 2.5% of cashback

As per the Gazette notification G.S.R. 1361 (E), dated 02.09.2017, all new motor vehicles of categories M and N sold on or after the 1st December, 2017, shall be fitted with FASTag as may be specified by the Central Government, from time to time, by the manufacturer of the vehicle or its authorised dealer. Also, as per the Gazette notification G.S.R. 1095 (E), dated 28.11.2016, all service vehicles, as defined under clause (35) of section 2 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, shall be equipped with or fitted with vehicle tracking device and one or more emergency buttons. This shall not apply to two wheelers, E-rickshaw, three wheelers and any transport vehicle for which no permit is required under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. This shall come into force after 1st April, 2019.

 Government has taken a number of steps to popularise FASTags among highway users. To facilitate easy availability of FASTag, it is being made available through kiosks set up by tag-issuer banks and also through online platforms. Mobile applications such as My FASTag have also started taking requests and providing FASTag to interested road users.