FASTag Rules: Major news for FASTag users. If you frequently drive on highways, this news may be important for you. Starting next month, November 15th, Fastag rules are set to change. These changes will directly impact drivers. The central government has announced that starting November 15th, vehicles entering toll plazas without a valid FASTag will have to pay double the normal fee if paying in cash. However, those paying using UPI will receive some relief.
What is Fastag?
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system operated by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It allows vehicles traveling on highways to pay tolls digitally. FASTags are used to collect tolls digitally. This tag automatically deducts the toll fee using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
If vehicles entering the toll plaza without a valid Fastag choose to pay the toll using the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), they will have to pay only 1.25 times the toll. It is worth noting that this move by the central government is part of the amendment to the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. Its purpose is to curb cash transactions on national highways and promote digital payments.
In simple terms, if a vehicle does not have a valid Fastag or its Fastag is not working due to some reason and the toll for that vehicle through Fastag is Rs 100, then it will increase to Rs 200 for cash payment and Rs 125 for UPI payment. The new rule is expected to help streamline traffic flow and increase transparency in toll collection, while also encouraging commuters to adopt digital modes.