With recent reports causing confusion about FASTag rule changes, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have issued a clarification. They assured that users will not be impacted and that the updates aim to streamline transactions and prevent disputes between banks at toll plazas.
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No Extra Toll Charges for FASTag Users
Earlier, rumors suggested that users with a low balance or blacklisted FASTag would be charged double toll fees. However, NPCI has dismissed these claims, stating that the rule changes are focused on improving real-time payments and ensuring smooth transactions at toll booths.
No additional charges for regular FASTag users
Real-time payment updates to prevent delays at toll plazas
Dispute resolution between banks to avoid transaction failures
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Key Updates to FASTag Rules
70-Minute Grace Period for Recharge
- If a FASTag is blacklisted due to insufficient balance, the user will have 10 minutes to recharge it after scanning at the toll booth.
- After a low-balance alert, a 70-minute grace period will allow users to top up their FASTag before reaching the next toll booth, avoiding penalties.
Auto-Recharge Encouraged
To prevent balance issues, NHAI recommends linking your FASTag to UPI or a bank account for automatic top-ups, eliminating the need for manual recharges.
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State Highways to Get Real-Time Updates
Currently, national highways use the ICD 2.5 protocol, which provides real-time FASTag status. However, some state highways still operate on the older ICD 2.4 protocol, leading to delays in updates. The government plans to upgrade all toll plazas to ICD 2.5 soon.
Final Takeaway
No major impact on FASTag users
Recharge within 10 minutes to avoid penalties
Auto-recharge recommended for a hassle-free experience
Real-time updates to be introduced on all highways
To ensure a smooth journey, it’s best to keep your FASTag recharged and linked to an auto-payment system.
