The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed the toll collection agencies and Concessionaires to immediately report and blacklist ‘loose FASTags’, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement on Friday. These are also commonly known as ‘tag-in-hand.’
The move is expected to address the issue of FASTag authenticity and system reliability, given upcoming initiatives like the Annual Pass System and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling.
"FASTags are sometimes deliberately not fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle by the owners. Such practices pose operational challenges leading to lane congestion, generation of false chargebacks, misuse in closed loop tolling system, causing overall disruption of the Electronic Toll Collection framework, resulting in unnecessary delays at toll plazas and inconvenience to other National Highway users," the ministry explained.
The NHAI has also provided a dedicated email ID to ensure timely corrective measures and directed the Toll Collection Agencies and Concessionaries to immediately report such FASTags. Based on the reports received, NHAI will take immediate action to initiate blacklisting/hotlisting of the reported FASTags.
With a penetration rate of over 98%, FASTag has revolutionised the Electronic Toll Collection system in the country, the ministry noted. However, loose FASTags pose a challenge to the efficiency of Electronic Toll Collection operations. "This initiative will help to make toll operations more efficient, ensuring seamless and comfortable journeys for the National Highway users," it stated.
FASTag-based Annual Pass
India will roll out a FASTag-based Annual Pass from August 15, 2025, with an aim to ease highway travel. Priced at ₹3,000, the pass will be valid for one year from the date of activation or for up to 200 highway trips—whichever is reached first.
This pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps and vans. Users can activate this service through Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH.
FASTag was mandated by the Government in February 2021. Currently, the NHAI oversees the maintenance and management of over 70,000 km of the country’s 1,50,000 km National Highway network.
