The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has refuted claims circulating on social media that the FASTag system will be discontinued across India starting May 1, 2025. In an official statement, the ministry labelled these rumours as “false and misleading,” urging the public to disregard the unverified information. MoRTH assured that no decision has been made to phase out the FASTag system.
The confusion stems from ongoing discussions surrounding the modernization of toll collection systems. Speculation arose from reports about trial runs of an innovative ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system, which uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. This new system aims to allow vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping, with toll payments automatically deducted from the vehicle’s FASTag account.
However, MoRTH clarified that this new ANPR-based tolling initiative is still in its experimental phase. Currently, only limited-scale trials are underway, and nationwide implementation will depend on the success of these trials and feedback from the public. The ministry assured that the existing FASTag infrastructure remains in place and is not being replaced at this time.
The ANPR-based tolling system relies on high-resolution cameras to scan vehicle number plates and match them with the vehicle’s FASTag account. This would allow toll payments to be made automatically, without the need for vehicles to stop at toll booths. In cases of payment failure, an e-notice could be issued, and the FASTag account might be temporarily suspended until the payment is cleared.
If successfully rolled out on a large scale, the ANPR-based tolling system could offer several benefits:
Smooth Traffic Flow: Vehicles would not need to stop at toll plazas, significantly reducing congestion.
Time Savings: A smoother flow of traffic could cut down on travel time for commuters.
Convenient Travel Experience: Drivers would enjoy a more seamless and uninterrupted journey.
Despite these advancements, MoRTH reiterated that FASTag remains the official toll payment system for all national highways. The public is encouraged to continue using FASTag and avoid taking action based on speculative or unverified reports circulating online.
