To ensure efficient tolling operations and address misuse of the Electronic Toll Collection system, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has further streamlined its policy by directing Toll Collecting Agencies and Concessionaires to immediately report and initiate blacklisting of ‘Loose FASTags’ commonly referred to as “tag-in-hand”.
The move comes ahead of critical upcoming initiatives, including the Annual Pass System and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling, where ensuring the authenticity and proper usage of FASTags is essential to system reliability and seamless traffic flow.
A ‘loose FASTag’ refers to a tag that is not affixed to the vehicle’s windscreen, as mandated. In many cases, vehicle owners intentionally avoid fixing the tag, which undermines the tolling framework. This practice results in operational challenges such as lane congestion, false chargebacks, and misuse in closed-loop toll systems, ultimately disrupting the integrity of the Electronic Toll Collection ecosystem and causing delays for other National Highway users.
To address the issue proactively, NHAI has provided a dedicated email ID for reporting such instances. All Toll Collecting Agencies and Concessionaires have been instructed to report loose FASTags promptly. Upon receiving reports, NHAI will take immediate action, including blacklisting or hotlisting of the non-compliant FASTags.