FASTag rules will change from April 1, know before it’s too late 

Major news for FASTag users. Many people rely on FASTag to skip the long lines at toll booths. To simplify the FASTag experience, the government frequently updates its regulations. Recently, new changes have been announced, but they will only affect drivers in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has declared that FASTag will be mandatory at all toll plazas starting April 1, 2025. This initiative aims to make toll payments smoother and help alleviate traffic congestion at toll booths.

What is FASTag?

If you’re not familiar with it, FASTag is an electronic tag that you place on your vehicle’s windshield. It needs to be recharged periodically, similar to how you would recharge your mobile phone. When your vehicle approaches a toll plaza, a machine scans the tag, and the toll amount is automatically deducted from your prepaid balance. With this tag, you can drive through the toll without stopping to collect a ticket.

New FASTag Rule

Starting April 1, using FASTag will be compulsory in Maharashtra at all toll plazas. This move by the Maharashtra government is aimed at creating a cashless system, which should help reduce traffic jams at toll booths. The cashless payment system will be enforced at all toll plazas in the state next month.

Double Toll Charges for Non-FASTag Users

If someone chooses not to use FASTag, they can still pay the toll using cash, a card, or UPI, but they will face double the toll fee. To inform the public about this change, the MSRDC has released a notice.

According to reports, this new regulation will not apply to school buses, light motor vehicles, and state transport buses. These vehicles are exempt from using FASTag at five specific entry points into Mumbai, which include the toll plazas at Mulund West, Mulund East, Airoli, Dahisar, and Vashi.

Keep in mind that the FASTag system will be rigorously implemented on key highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, and the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway.

Where can you get a Fastag?

You can purchase a Fastag at toll booths, bank locations, online through bank websites, digital wallets, and payment apps, or via the MyFASTag app. Once you have your Fastag, recharging it is a breeze with options like PhonePe, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and various other payment applications.