Expressways And Highways In India :Everything you want to know about ADV News, Photos & Exclusive stories.

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.<h2>FASTag: What is it?</h2>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.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/honda-nissan-and-mitsubishi-merger-talks-end-as-60-billion-merger-officially-called-off-119864/">Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi Merger Talks End as $60 Billion Merger Officially Called Off</a>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.<h2>The Updated FASTag Rules</h2> - Blacklisted Tag:&nbsp;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.&nbsp;- 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.-&nbsp;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.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/union-budget-2025-government-waives-customs-duties-on-ev-battery-components-119794/">Union Budget 2025: Government Waives Customs Duties on EV Battery Components</a>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.

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

The updated guidelines enforce stricter rules for FASTag users, including penalty revisions, balance requirements, and potential blacklisting for non-compliance.

A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic. This line is attributed to Stalin, but there’s no record of that evil dictator ever having said these very words. However, that’s an insignificant issue compared to what’s expressed in that sentence. India is a land of scale, of mind-boggling numbers, so a figure of 1.73 lakh is just another small number for us. But it hides the 172,890 needless tragedies that occurred on Indian roads and highways in 2023. Deaths. A loved one is never coming back. Of them, about 10,000 were minors.

2023 was a new record for the country, and it’s nothing to be proud of. On average, a staggering 474 people died on our roads EVERY DAY. Or, if you prefer, 20 deaths EVERY HOUR. In 2022, it was already a not-so-insignificant 1.68 lakh deaths. The growth in fatalities from 2022 to 2023 is 2.6% – this is one measure of growth in India that’s completely undesirable. You may argue that, when compared to our population, 1.73 lakh is a mere drop in the ocean – but that’s not the way you should look at this depressing statistic.

Understand the context. According to a recent news item in The Economic Times, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/indian-roads-claim-lives-equivalent-to-chandigarhs-population-in-accidents-but-penalties-remain-milder-than-murder/articleshow/115207175.cms?from=mdr" target="_blank">the road death rate in India</a> is substantially higher – at around 250 per 10,000 km as against 57 in the US, 119 in China and 11 in Australia. Another metric to look at is car penetration – according to a CRISIL report, India has 26 <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/">cars</a> per 1,000 people (FY24), while global peers like China were at 183, Mexico at 280 and Brazil at 276 – by the way, this is CY21 data. While OEMs salivate over the under-penetrated potential of car ownership in India, I worry about what it implies. What these two metrics essentially mean is that our roads are deadlier than many other countries. For every kilometre, more Indians are dying, despite having a low car penetration. So when our roads expand and more people buy cars… I am not doing the morbid math.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/opinion/srinivas-krishnan/opinion-how-companies-can-do-more-for-road-safety-than-individuals-and-even-the-government-117403/" target="_blank">How Companies Can do More for Road Safety than Individuals and the Government</a>

Okay, passenger car penetration is not the only yardstick when our vehicle park is extremely diverse – it’s especially dominated by <a href="https://www.autox.com/new-bikes/">two-wheelers</a>. According to the Ministry’s data from 2015, India had about 210 million registered vehicles in the country. The number of vehicles per 1,000 people then was 158. Today, the number of registered vehicles is at 383 million, while road length has increased from 48.6 lakh km to 63.3 lakh km as of 2019. We have added around 13 crore people since 2015. It still means that vehicle population remains substantially under-penetrated in India.

In any other civilized country, a fatality statistic like this would have hit hard and would have made the Union Government and State Governments sit up and take action, but as the wise old Georgian from Soviet Russia (purportedly) said…

The Ministry of Road Transport &amp; Highways has yet to release the official data, but Minister Nitin Gadkari has provided a glimpse of what to expect – and it’s gruesome. It seems that a staggering 35,000 crashes took place in front of schools and colleges, leading to 10,000 deaths. Vulnerable road users like pedestrians accounted for 35,000 deaths. 54,000 fatalities occurred because of not wearing helmets, while 16,000 were because of the non-usage of seatbelts. 12,000 deaths were due to overloading. As you would expect, two-wheeler riders account for the largest chunk of overall fatalities, about 77,500 or a whopping 45% of the total. The numbers just keep coming on, but one is left numb. The tragedy is yet to register in our minds and of those who have been empowered by us to curb it.Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/opinion/srinivas-krishnan/why-im-giving-up-on-telling-people-that-wrong-side-driving-is-wrong-and-dangerous-117771/" target="_blank">Why I'm Giving up on Telling People That Wrong Side Driving is Wrong and Dangerous! </a> 

If I had anything to do about it, I would concentrate on vulnerable road users like pedestrians and two-wheeler riders – both contribute to 65% of all deaths, and it has always been so. Intensify efforts to make it easy and safe for pedestrians to use roads, while we need concentrated action to curb rider deaths – enforcement, education, engineering and emergency care. The four ‘E’s is something MoRTH had delineated back in 2011! Whatever we are doing now is obviously too little, too late and too ineffective. Time to get into mission mode.

Understanding Road Fatalities in India: The Numbers Hide a Deeper Story, One that is Frightening!

172,890 road fatalities in 2023! The numbers are mind-numbing, tragedies are everywhere, and yet it does not register – in our minds or that of the authorities. What’s wrong with us?

Travellers, rejoice!&nbsp;The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, a 210-kilometre infrastructure marvel,&nbsp;is slated to fully open in February 2025.&nbsp;It will reduce the arduous travel time between Delhi and Dehradun&nbsp;from a staggering 6.5 hours to only 2.5 hours, enhancing the efficiency and comfort&nbsp;for both tourists and daily commuters.&nbsp;Beyond its time-saving benefits, the Expressway will be a game-changer for the region's economy with increased opportunities for trade, and tourism.&nbsp;

For the uninitiated, the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is a part of the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana, a massive infrastructure initiative.&nbsp;It starts from the iconic Akshardham Temple in Delhi, and stretches through key districts like Baghpat, Shamli, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, before culminating in the picturesque city of Dehradun.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/exclusive-stories/delhi-mumbai-expressway-exclusive-stories-112700/">Delhi-Mumbai Expressway - Old vs New: Which Highway is Better for You?</a>

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will feature a six-lane layout, with more than 110 underpasses, five rail overbridges, four major bridges, and 16 strategically placed entry and exit points. It will have a maximum speed limit of 100km/h.

<h2>Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: Your Guide to the Route</h2>

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is progressing rapidly, with a few phases already operational and more to follow. Notably, the initial phase connects Akshardham Temple in Delhi to Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;It has a 32-kilometre stretch and is currently open. The second phase is the longest and most expansive part of the project, spanning roughly 118 kilometres. It connects Baghpat to Saharanpur, passing through several important towns and districts along the way.

While construction on the second phase of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is ongoing,&nbsp;certain sections have already been in use.&nbsp;The third phase of the expressway,&nbsp;spanning 40 kilometres, connects Saharanpur to Ganeshpur.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/grap-stage-i-ii-iii-and-iv-explained-heres-all-you-need-to-know-119066/">GRAP Stage I, II, III and IV Explained: Here's All You Need to Know</a>

Finally, the final and fourth phase is the 20-kilometre section from Rajaji National&nbsp;Park to Dehradun. This portion features a 12-kilometre elevated wildlife&nbsp;corridor and a 340-meter-long tunnel. It is currently under construction.

<h2>Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: A Look at Anticipated Toll Prices</h2>

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will have a distance-based toll system, which means users will only pay for the distance travelled. For now, specific toll prices are undisclosed. However, the first 18 kilometres between Akshardham Temple and Loni, are set to be toll-free.

<a href="https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/delhi-to-dehradun-by-new-expressway-to-reduce-drive-time-to-2-hours-check-route-map-toll-rates-and-more-41734324001275.html">Source</a>

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: Expected Start Date, Toll Rates and More

The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will significantly shorten the travel time from 6.5 hours to only 2.5 hours. It is expected to be completed within the next three months.

The Indian government has approved the GPS-based toll system that lets drivers pass through toll plazas without stopping. This system uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to track vehicles and automatically calculate tolls. To encourage use, the government allows a toll-free grace period of up to 20km on national highways. Drivers can travel up to 20km in either direction without paying tolls. However, vehicles with a National Permit don’t get this grace period. After the first 20km, drivers will be charged per kilometre based on the exact distance travelled. This system covers all national highways, bridges, bypasses, and tunnels.

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<h2>How Does the System Work?</h2>

India is adopting a more efficient toll collection system using GPS technology. Vehicles currently stop at toll plazas to pay, causing traffic congestion. The new system will charge vehicles based on the distance they travel, solving this issue.

Vehicles with an on-board unit (OBU) or compatible tracking device will automatically pay tolls. Advanced technologies like digital image processing and CCTV surveillance will verify locations for accurate toll calculation. OBUs will transmit vehicle location data to satellites. Using GPS and GNSS technology, the system will calculate travel distance and determine the toll.

<img alt="Delhi Traffic" height="720" src="/uploads/2022/11/Delhi-Traffic.jpg" width="1280" />

The GNSS-based toll system faces several challenges. Signal interference from multipath reflections can cause inaccurate location data. In areas like tunnels and ghats, weak or intermittent signals may occur. Bad weather can also disrupt satellite signals.

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The system will first be introduced on select highways and expressways. Drivers can buy OBUs from government portals and install them, similar to FASTag. In the future, new vehicles may come with pre-installed OBUs.

This GPS-based toll system aims to reduce congestion, streamline toll collection, and make driving more convenient.

New GPS-based Toll Collection System Implemented, Here How it Works

The new GPS-based system tracks vehicles with GNSS technology, letting drivers travel up to 20 kilometres on national highways without toll charges.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today announced&nbsp;that vehicles without a FASTag sticker on the windshield&nbsp;will now have to pay a double price than usual.&nbsp;The purpose of this action is to increase efficiency and prevent delays at the toll plazas.&nbsp;The ministry claims that a complete Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)&nbsp;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.'

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autox.com/news/industry-news/new-gps-based-toll-system-to-soon-replace-fastags-in-india-heres-what-you-need-to-know-112014/">New GPS-based Toll System to Soon Replace FASTags in India, Here's What You Need to Know</a>

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

'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.&nbsp;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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<h2>What is&nbsp;FASTag?</h2>

FASTag is an RFID-enabled card that enables customers to make payments for tolls directly from their linked prepaid or savings/current account.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;NHAI collects user fees on National Highways under the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.&nbsp;Presently, user fees are collected at more than 1,000 Toll Plazas around the country covering&nbsp;about 45,000 kilometres of National Highways and Expressway.

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

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will impose a double toll cost if FASTag is not attached to your car's windshield.

According to the Central Government and its agencies, India is planning to adopt a more efficient and seamless toll collection system.&nbsp;A few months ago, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, announced that India would soon have a satellite-based toll collection system. This would be an advancement over the country's present FASTag-based toll collection system.&nbsp;The commuting experience on Indian roadways is expected to improve with this new system, which will charge&nbsp;cars based on the distance travelled.&nbsp;

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)-backed&nbsp;Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) has extended a request for Global Expressions of Interest (EOI) to capable&nbsp;companies to design and develop a GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system in India&nbsp;for a smooth and barrier-free toll experience on National Highways.&nbsp;The&nbsp;technology is already used&nbsp;by European countries like Slovakia, Germany, and Russia to facilitate travel on their roadways. In several other nations, this system extends across thousands of kilometres. Here's everything you should know.&nbsp;

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<h2>GNSS-based Toll Collection System: How Will it Work?</h2>

The GNSS-based electronic toll collection&nbsp;system will be incorporated by NHAI into the present FASTag technology. This means that in addition to the current Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) method employed&nbsp;in FASTag, GNSS implementation will utilise a hybrid model. Virtual toll booths will be used by this technology to track vehicles as they enter and exit highways. The&nbsp;GNSS-enabled vehicles will be able to interact with virtual gantries placed along the tolled portion of the road network, eliminating the need for physical gantries. The virtual gantries will collect important vehicle information such as the registration number, vehicle type, and bank account details.

The new&nbsp;system is designed to automatically collect tolls from vehicles passing via virtual toll booths and deduct&nbsp;a specified amount from the user's&nbsp;bank account. Vehicles using the technology will be able to pass through the toll plazas more easily, thanks to the dedicated GNSS lanes.

<h2>GNSS-based Toll Collection System: How Will it Benefit the&nbsp;Users?</h2>

Different charging techniques, including time-based, congestion-based, and distance-based toll collection, could be employed by the upcoming&nbsp;GNSS-based&nbsp;system. In comparison to conventional toll plazas, the technology will guarantee fewer roadside infrastructure needs, which will save money and make maintenance simpler.

A scalable approach that may be extended to cover larger road networks without requiring infrastructure investment is touted to be the highlight of the&nbsp;GNSS-based toll collection system.&nbsp;The GNSS-based&nbsp;system will allow cars to travel on highways and expressways&nbsp;without stopping or slowing down, reducing traffic congestion and improving commuter experiences.

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<h2>GNSS-based Toll Collection System: The Other Side</h2>

Although the system is significantly more sophisticated than the FasTAG, there are still certain issues that need to be resolved. For example, in areas with inconsistent signals, the system may not be able to gather reliable data. These issues can be problematic in rural areas or&nbsp;places with difficult topography. In addition, there is also the issue of users' privacy concerns.

The NHAI presently&nbsp;collects tolls worth&nbsp;Rs 40,000 crore. As India moves towards the upcoming smart toll collection system, it is expected that this amount will rise to Rs 1.40 trillion in the following two to three years.

Upcoming Satellite-based Toll System in India Explained: Here's How It Will Work

Different charging techniques, including time-based, congestion-based, and distance-based toll collection, could be employed by the upcoming GNSS-based system.

Paytm FASTag to Stop Working After March 15, Here's a Step-by-Step Guide to Deactivate It

Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) was recently taken off the list of FASTag providers. Users won't be able to top up their accounts after the prohibition takes effect, but current Paytm FASTags will keep functioning until the available balance finishes. 

The GPS-based toll collection system, according to the Indian government, will&nbsp;be an initiative&nbsp;to bring a&nbsp;significant reduction in long lines and waiting time on toll plazas.

The Indian government is reportedly planning to introduce&nbsp;a&nbsp;new toll collection system on national highways to make the movement of vehicles more hassle-free.&nbsp;Currently, FASTag is being used on Indian roadways to collect tolls. The government, however, has been aiming to implement a new GPS-based&nbsp;Toll System named ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Reader) camera. The new camera-aided toll collection system will make use of the technology that recognizes&nbsp;number plates on vehicles travelling on Indian highways. The administration is certain that the ANPR technology would shorten the waiting time at toll booths.

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The ANPR will read the licence plate of the vehicle and subsequently debits the vehicle&nbsp;owner's&nbsp;bank account to pay the toll. At the entry and exit locations, ANPR cameras will be installed by the system to click pictures of passing vehicles' licence&nbsp;plates.&nbsp;

According to the government, the ANPR camera&nbsp;could be a better option to replace the existing&nbsp;FASTag on tolls to ease traffic. However, a few issues might create difficulties for the new system to implement like&nbsp;the corporation implemented the policy of OEM-fitted number plates after 2019, so the camera won't be able to detect automobiles sold prior to the mentioned year. Additionally, vehicles like trucks with dirty or obscured&nbsp;nameplates will make&nbsp;it difficult for the ANPR cameras to correctly identify them.

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Reportedly, the quick deployment of the new system is getting hampered by the lack of an appropriate regulatory framework. It is anticipated that the FASTag system will remain in place for a few more years and there is still time for the new technology-based toll collection system to roll out on national highways in India.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

New GPS-based Toll System to Soon Replace FASTags in India, Here's What You Need to Know

A brand new initiative by the Indian government in the form of a GPS-based Toll System is highly expected to take place and could replace FASTag in India. The administration is planning to introduce an Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) camera on highways to curb waiting time at toll booths.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, has revealed that toll collection on the highways has been temporarily suspended to reduce inconvenience and save time for emergency services.

In light of the coronavirus outbreak, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, has announced a temporary suspension of toll collection across the country. This move, the minister says, will not only reduce inconvenience to the supply of emergency services but also save time. That said, with the nation-wide lockdown and state borders being closed, the density of vehicles on the roads and highways is quite low.

India has close to 500 toll plazas across the country. A few months back, electronic toll collection was made mandatory in the country for all vehicle users. With the help of numerous Points of Sale (PoS), the government issued nearly 2 crore FASTags across the country. Reports suggest that in February, a digital collection of toll fees via&nbsp;FASTag amounted to Rs 40 lakh per day. Even though the government has made FASTags mandatory for all vehicles, it hasn't been adopted effectively as yet. In fact, a lot of toll collection checkpoints haven’t been updated and continue to be manually operated. With that in mind, the suspension of toll collection should safeguard executives at the toll from being exposed to the deadly virus as well.

Coming to the coronavirus and the automotive section, manufacturers have put a halt to the production line. While in the United States some carmakers have come together to increase the production of ventilators and respirators. So far, the only manufacturers in India to make a notable contribution are Mahindra and MG. While the former has promised to provide support in manufacturing&nbsp;ventilators, the latter has donated Rs 2 crore to government hospitals and healthcare authorities.

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Government suspends toll collection on national highways

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, revealed that toll collection on the highways has been temporarily suspended to reduce inconvenience and save time of emergency services.

Now you will no longer have to wait in long toll lines as NHAI’s FASTag initiative will allow users to seamlessly drive past dedicated lanes, courtesy e-payment of tolls
Over the years the quality and length of national highways across the country have improved by leaps and bounds. Of course, in order to recover costs, it has led to formation of numerous tolls across the national highway network of the country. And while we thoroughly enjoy our wide and extensive road network these days, it can be quite a pain sometimes to wait at badly managed or congested tolls that can leave you stranded in long lines for not just minutes but sometimes even hours when things are really bad.
Coming to the rescue now is the National Highway Authority of India as it commences its cashless payment mechanism for toll payers with its FASTag initiative that has been incorporated at 250 tolls across India. Starting April 25, FASTag will be available on sale at selected toll plazas on National highways as well as at designated branches or participating banks (ICICI bank and Axis bank in phase 1). The FASTag has a onetime fee of Rs. 200 and can be recharged in denominations of Rs. 100 up to a maximum limit of Rs. 1 lakh.
<a href="https://www.autox.com/new-cars/">Vehicles</a> fitted with FASTag will no longer have to wait at tolls as they will be able to ply on dedicated FASTag lanes at tolls. FASTag uses RFID to make e-payments at tolls seamlessly from online rechargeable pre-paid accounts of users with travelers having to do nothing at tolls. The pre-paid accounts can be recharged by cheque or done online via debit/credit cards, NEFT, RTGS or net banking. Making the system extremely easy and convenient for users.
During Phase II of the initiative, other banks and mobile wallet operators will also be brought on board to contribute and expand the initiative.
“Government has allowed NHAI to give 10 per cent cash back incentive on toll payments in financial year 2016-17 for FASTag users. The cash back amount for a particular month will be credited back to the FASTag account at the beginning of the next month,” said NHAI in a statement.
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FASTag, NHAI commences e-toll collection

Now you will no longer have to wait in long toll lines as NHAI’s FASTag initiative will allow users to seamlessly drive past dedicated lanes,

Check out the latest news and information related to expressways and highways in India. Find the developments and updates on Indian expressways and highways.

Expressways And Highways In India