New FASTag Rules Implemented: What’s New and How It Affects You

Starting February 17, new FASTag rules have come into effect, bringing significant changes for vehicle owners using electronic toll collection. These updates aim to streamline toll payments, enhance compliance, and improve highway traffic flow. With the revised guidelines, FASTag users must adhere to stricter regulations, including penalty revisions, balance requirements, and potential blacklisting for non-compliance. The changes impact both private and commercial vehicle owners, making it essential to stay informed and avoid fines or disruptions while travelling. Whether you are a daily commuter or an occasional highway traveller, understanding these new rules will help ensure seamless toll transactions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what has changed, why it matters, and how it affects your travel experience.

FASTag: What is it?

Rolled out nationwide in December 2019, the One Nation One Tag – FASTag initiative was introduced to optimise toll collection and facilitate hassle-free vehicle movement on highways. Beyond improving traffic efficiency, it also aimed at promoting digital transactions and reducing cash dependency.

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FASTag usage is mandatory for all vehicles, regardless of their make, model, or age. Since its implementation, the system has significantly cut down wait times at toll plazas, enabling swifter and more convenient travel. Additionally, it has enhanced transparency in toll operations and boosted revenue generation, cementing its role in the modernisation of India’s highway network.

The Updated FASTag Rules

- Blacklisted Tag: When a FASTag has a low account balance at the time of scanning at a toll booth, it is commonly blacklisted. This leads to traffic buildup at the plaza, which contradicts the purpose of digital payments and disrupts smooth traffic flow. The revised FASTag regulations stipulate that users who have been blacklisted for more than 60 minutes prior to reaching a toll plaza and remain blacklisted for at least 10 minutes afterward will face blocked transactions. In such cases, they may be charged twice the standard toll fee. 

- Impact of Blacklisting: When a FASTag is blacklisted upon reaching a toll booth, users may be required to pay double the toll fee. However, if the account is recharged within 10 minutes of scanning, users can request a refund for the additional charge.

- Transaction Delays: If a toll transaction is processed more than 15 minutes after the vehicle passes the toll reader, extra charges may apply.

- Grace Period: A 70-minute grace period has been introduced to allow users time to address any FASTag issues before reaching a toll plaza.

- Chargebacks: Banks may only initiate chargebacks for incorrect deductions related to blacklisted or low-balance FASTags after a 15-day waiting period.

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Under the updated rules set by the NPCI and the government, users must ensure their accounts have a sufficient balance in advance, as last-minute recharges will no longer prevent payment issues.