<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">New FASTag rules, imposing extra penalties on users with low balance, delayed payments or blacklisted tags, will come into force from Monday.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have issued some key changes to the FASTag ecosystem, aiming to streamline toll payments, reduce disputes and curb frauds.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Starting February 17, new FASTag rules will affect users who delay payments or have blacklisted tags.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">If a FASTag has been inactive for more than 60 minutes before the vehicle crosses the toll and remains inactive up to 10 minutes after passing, the transaction will be declined.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The system will reject such payments with &ldquo;error code 176&rdquo;. This rule is set to be implemented from February 17.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Apart from this, there are also changes in terms of the Chargeback process and cooling period as well as transaction rejection rules to streamline toll payments and reduce disputes.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to new guidelines, FASTag users may incur additional charges if their toll transactions are processed beyond 15 minutes from the time the vehicle passes the toll reader.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to updated National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) guidelines, if a transaction is delayed and the user&rsquo;s FASTag account has insufficient balance, the toll operator will be held responsible.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, if the amount is deducted, users can dispute the charge, but only after a mandatory 15-day cooling period.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Users can ensure sufficient balance in the FASTag wallet before travelling, monitor transaction times to check for delays in deduction, and stay informed about FASTag status to prevent rejections due to inactivity.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">As per the NPCI circular published on January 28, the FASTag balance validation will follow a stricter schedule.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Previously, users could recharge their FASTag at the toll booth and still pass through. Because of this, users must verify their FASTag status well in advance.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to latest NPCI data, FASTag transactions grew by 6% in December last year to 382 million, against 359 million in November.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The value also increased by 9% to ₹6,642 crore in December against ₹6,070 crore in November.</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>&mdash;IANS</strong></em></span></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

The FASTag balance validation will follow a stricter schedule.

Users who delay payment or have blacklisted tags to be affected

New FASTag Rules to Streamline Toll Payments from Feb 17

Users who delay payment or have blacklisted tags to be affected

February 16, 2025 | 13:31 IST