The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a stringent crackdown on the misuse of “loose FASTags,” often referred to as “tag-in-hand” devices, to bolster the integrity and efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. This decisive action, announced on July 11, 2025, is a critical preparatory step for the forthcoming rollout of advanced tolling systems, including the Annual Pass and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) mechanisms, aiming to ensure smoother travel, combat fraud, and fortify India’s digital highway infrastructure.
The practice of using FASTags not properly affixed to vehicle windscreens has emerged as a significant operational concern. These loosely held tags allow users to circumvent automated toll lane scanners, leading to pervasive inefficiencies, erroneous chargebacks, and systemic abuse, particularly within closed-loop tolling environments. Such fraudulent activities not only compromise the financial integrity of toll operations but also contribute to lane congestion and disrupt the seamless flow of traffic, ultimately causing considerable delays and inconvenience for legitimate highway users.
Toll Collection Agencies and Concessionaires have now been explicitly directed to promptly report all instances of “tag-in-hand” misuse through a dedicated email ID established by NHAI. Upon receiving such reports, NHAI is committed to immediately initiating the blacklisting or hotlisting of the implicated FASTags, thereby preventing further exploitation of the system. This proactive enforcement mechanism is vital for maintaining the efficacy of India’s highly digitised tolling network, which boasts a penetration rate exceeding 98%, positioning it among the most advanced globally.
The integrity of the FASTag system is paramount for the successful transition to Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling, a technology designed to eliminate physical toll plazas and enable vehicles to pass through seamlessly at highway speeds. MLFF systems rely entirely on accurate and automated tag detection, making the proper affixation of FASTags an absolute necessity. The current crackdown is therefore not merely about curbing fraud but about ensuring the foundational reliability required for a truly frictionless and efficient national highway experience, aligning with the broader vision of smart, sustainable urban mobility.
This intensified focus on compliance underscores NHAI’s commitment to enhancing both operational efficiency and user experience on National Highways. By ensuring that only valid, vehicle-mounted FASTags are utilised, the authority aims to create a more transparent, equitable, and efficient tolling ecosystem. This strategic move is integral to India’s journey towards developing zero net carbon and eco-friendly transportation corridors, as streamlined electronic tolling reduces idling time at plazas, thereby lowering fuel consumption and vehicular emissions, contributing significantly to a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.
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