No FASTag on Windshield? Here’s How Much Penalty You Might Have to Pay

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today announced that vehicles without a FASTag sticker on the windshield will now have to pay a double price than usual. The purpose of this action is to increase efficiency and prevent delays at the toll plazas. The ministry claims that a complete Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been sent to all concessionaires and user fee collection organizations, instructing them to charge twice the regular price for vehicles without a properly attached FASTag. It further added that 'The information will also be prominently displayed at all User Fee plazas, informing highway users about the penalties for non-compliance of entering a toll lane without a fixed FASTag on the front windshield.'

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In addition, the ministry stated in the official press release that non-affixed FASTag cases will be recorded on CCTV footage with the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN). This action will aid in keeping accurate data on the amount collected and the car's presence in the toll lane. 

'Any FASTag that is not affixed on the assigned vehicle as per standard process is not entitled to carry out Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) transaction at a User Fee Plaza and will have to pay a double toll fee as well as can be duly blacklisted. Issuer banks have also been directed to ensure the fixation of the FASTag to the assigned vehicle on the front windshield at the time of issuance from various Point-ofSale (POS).'

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What is FASTag?

FASTag is an RFID-enabled card that enables customers to make payments for tolls directly from their linked prepaid or savings/current account. It is attached to the vehicle's front windscreen and allows it to pass through toll plazas without stopping to make the payment.

FASTag, which has over 80 million users and a penetration rate of almost 98%, has greatly enhanced India's ETC system. NHAI collects user fees on National Highways under the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. Presently, user fees are collected at more than 1,000 Toll Plazas around the country covering about 45,000 kilometres of National Highways and Expressway.