New FASTag Rules: If you are planning a long drive by car, this news is important for you. The National Payments Corporation of India has changed the Fastag rules starting today, February 17. The purpose of these new rules is to make toll tax collection easier and to better manage traffic at toll plazas. What is Fastag, and what changes have been made? Find out in this article, or you may have to pay extra.

Important Things Fastag Users Should Remember

  • If you are going on a long journey, ensure there is enough balance in your Fastag account.
  • Keep your KYC details updated to avoid blacklisting.
  • Check your Fastag status before reaching the toll plaza and maintain a sufficient balance.
  • If your Fastag is hotlisted or blacklisted 60 minutes before the toll, you will be charged a double toll.
  • If the issue is resolved 60 minutes before reaching the toll, the normal fee will be charged.

Number of Toll Plazas in Madhya Pradesh

There are more than 100 toll plazas in Madhya Pradesh. With the rapid construction of highways, new toll plazas are also being built. Every year, crores of rupees are collected as toll tax from these plazas. Most of them are on National Highways, with around 64 toll plazas. The remaining toll plazas are on state highways. If you are planning a long drive, don’t forget to check your Fastag balance.

How Much Balance Should You Keep in Fastag?

Keeping a higher balance in Fastag is always a good idea. When travelling on a new route, you may not know the toll tax amount in advance. To avoid any issues, you can:

  1. Check toll tax details on Google Maps before your journey.
  2. Maintain a sufficient balance or activate the auto-debit feature.
  3. If the balance goes below ₹500, the auto-debit feature will automatically recharge your Fastag.

How Does Fastag Work?

Fastag is a sticker placed on your vehicle’s windscreen. When you pass through a toll plaza, the system scans the sticker and deducts the toll amount from your linked bank account or digital wallet. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduced this electronic toll collection system in 2014 to reduce delays at toll plazas. Fastag helps save time, and fuel and reduces congestion at toll booths.

New Fastag Rules in Madhya Pradesh

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) issued a notification on January 28, 2025, regarding new Fastag rules, which came into effect on February 17.

  • If a Fastag is blacklisted for one hour before scanning or 10 minutes after scanning, payment will not be processed.
  • If the balance is low or the Fastag is blocked, the transaction will be rejected.
  • If payment is delayed by more than 15 minutes, or the Fastag is blacklisted, the vehicle owner will have to pay an additional fine.