FASTag: Good news for FASTag users. Excessive toll charges through FASTags at highway toll plazas, receiving toll collection messages despite being at home, or being charged for a large vehicle when having a small one are not uncommon in our country, as supported by government data. The government disclosed on March 26, 2025, in the Rajya Sabha that out of 4.1 billion FASTag transactions in 2024, 12.55 lakh transactions were inaccurately deducted.
In a written response to the Lok Sabha in January 2026, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari mentioned that the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) refunded 17.66 lakh FASTag transactions between January 2025 and December 2025 due to incorrect toll deductions. These instances involved complaints about incorrect toll deductions.
Many individuals tend to avoid reporting excessive toll charges, which benefits toll companies significantly. Nonetheless, a significant ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in favor of the general public has emerged. This ruling is expected to set a precedent nationwide. Now, any excess deduction by a toll company using FASTag will require a 100% refund under all circumstances. The company recovered an additional Rs 11 crore.
This issue revolves around the Bhopal-Dewas four-lane road, where a toll company was collecting significantly higher toll amounts than specified from three Axle buses using FASTag, accumulating over Rs 11 crore in excess. When the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) implemented a regulation against this practice, the company was displeased and approached the High Court. However, a divisional bench led by Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rushia and Justice Pradeep Mittal dealt a severe blow to the company, rejecting its plea outright.
Benefits of the High Court decision
– The ruling will have a substantial impact, serving as a precedent for cases involving excessive toll collection.
– Common individuals can strengthen their arguments by referencing this ruling in legal disputes concerning overcharging.
– While refunds for overcharges are available, complaints regarding refunds are still pending. This decision will likely discourage companies from delaying refunds by imposing fines along with the refund if taken to court.
Reasons for excess FASTag deductions
– Double scanning: Occasionally, the scanner reads two transactions simultaneously at a toll booth, resulting in double deductions.
– Incorrect category toll: Mistakenly categorizing a small vehicle as a large one leads to higher toll charges.
– Absence of return discounts: System failures sometimes prevent drivers from receiving discounts for trips within 24 hours, resulting in overcharging.
– Software malfunction: Slow internet or technical issues in the toll plaza system can lead to incorrect deductions.