Will FASTag system be replaced from May 1? Here's what the govt says

The government on Friday clarified recent media reports claiming that a Satellite-based Tolling System would replace the existing FASTag system from May 1, 2025. The government has emphasised that no such nationwide implementation of satellite-based tolling has been decided.

Instead, a new "ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System" will be rolled out at selected toll plazas across India.

What is ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System?

This advanced system aims to facilitate smoother and faster vehicle movement, reducing travel time and congestion at toll booths.


The hybrid system will combine Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, which identifies vehicles through high-performance cameras reading number plates, and the existing FASTag system, which utilizes Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) for toll deductions.

With this new system, vehicles will be charged automatically without the need to stop at toll plazas. If any vehicle fails to comply, E-Notices will be issued, and non-payment could lead to suspension of FASTag and other penalties under the VAHAN system.

NHAI has already invited bids for the installation of the new tolling system at selected toll plazas.

The performance and user feedback from these initial implementations will guide decisions regarding its potential nationwide adoption in the future.

More on toll hikes

Earlier this month, the NHAI raised toll charges for motorists driving through highways and expressways across the country by an average of 4 to 5 per cent as part of the annual exercise of factoring in inflation costs.

There are around 855 user fee plazas on the national highway network on which user fee is levied as per National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and and Collection) Rules, 2008. Out of these, around 675 are public-funded fee plazas and 180 are concessionaire-operated toll plazas.