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.
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
🔹 70-Minute Grace Period for Recharge
🔹 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.
🔹 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.
✅ 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. What do you think about these changes? Let us know in the comments! 🚗💨
