Greater Noida (national Desk):The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a firm step to curb the misuse of ‘Loose FASTags’ a growing issue affecting the efficiency of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) across the country’s national highways. In a fresh directive aimed at ensuring seamless tolling operations, NHAI has further streamlined its policy by mandating Toll Collecting Agencies and Concessionaires to immediately report instances of ‘Loose FASTags’, often referred to as “tag-in-hand”. These FASTags, which are not fixed to a vehicle’s windscreen as required, are now being actively identified and blacklisted to protect the integrity of the tolling system.
The misuse of FASTags poses serious challenges. Some vehicle owners intentionally avoid affixing the FASTag to the windscreen and instead keep it loose for selective use or to manipulate toll payments. This practice leads to multiple operational disruptions, including traffic congestion at toll plazas, false chargeback claims, and fraudulent use in closed-loop tolling systems. In addition to affecting toll revenues, such behavior causes delays for genuine road users and undermines the fundamental goal of the ETC system to provide a swift, contactless, and efficient toll collection process.
In light of this issue, NHAI has introduced a dedicated email ID through which toll operators can report the misuse of FASTags in real-time. On receiving a report, NHAI will promptly investigate and take corrective action by blacklisting or hotlisting the identified tags. This reporting mechanism aims to stop the spread of such misuse and encourage drivers to comply with the proper usage of FASTags, as mandated under the national tolling framework.
The crackdown on loose FASTags is particularly crucial as India prepares to adopt advanced tolling initiatives such as the Annual Pass System and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. These upcoming systems depend heavily on the authenticity and fixed placement of FASTags to function seamlessly. Any compromise in the tag’s placement can lead to tolling errors and disrupt the smooth operation of these technologies. NHAI’s proactive enforcement will therefore play a vital role in building trust and efficiency in these next-generation systems.
India’s FASTag system has seen an impressive adoption rate of over 98 percent, transforming the tolling landscape by reducing waiting time, fuel wastage, and manual intervention at toll plazas. However, the issue of tag-in-hand or loose FASTags is now being seen as a threat to these advancements. Deliberate misuse not only burdens the tolling system with unnecessary disputes but also affects the experience of thousands of compliant highway users.
By tightening its policy and encouraging immediate reporting, NHAI aims to eliminate such irregularities and make the tolling process more transparent and efficient. It also sends a strong message to vehicle owners and operators about the importance of following established rules. Blacklisting errant tags will serve as a deterrent and ensure that FASTags are used for their intended purpose automated, fixed, and hassle-free toll payments.
#NHAI has strengthened its policy for Toll Collecting Agencies and Concessionaires to immediately report and blacklist ‘loose FASTags’ for ensuring smooth tolling operations and enhanced reporting of “tag-in-hand” #FASTags.
Read more: https://t.co/WCLcmYXkgb pic.twitter.com/7rgFwOTpdY— NHAI (@NHAI_Official) July 11, 2025
The move aligns with NHAI’s broader vision of developing a world-class highway infrastructure that is supported by cutting-edge technology and robust enforcement. By cleaning up the current tolling environment and addressing minor but critical gaps such as loose FASTags, NHAI is laying the groundwork for a more futuristic tolling mechanism, where vehicles can move at highway speeds under MLFF systems without any barriers.
the blacklisting initiative not only seeks to correct current inefficiencies but also supports the future of tolling in India. By ensuring FASTag authenticity and system reliability, NHAI is helping to create smoother, faster, and more convenient journeys for all road users across the country’s vast network of national highways. The updated policy serves as a reminder that even the smallest compliance measure can significantly enhance the overall experience of digital tolling.
