In response to widespread speculation in the media, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a press release dated April 18, 2025, clarifying that there is no decision to launch a nationwide satellite-based tolling system from May 1, 2025. Instead, the ministry is steering a more gradual and technologically upgraded tolling mechanism through the launch of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System technology with the existing FASTag Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) infrastructure.
This clarification not only settles public confusion but also highlights the government’s strategy of integrating innovation with existing systems to enhance highway efficiency and commuter convenience.
The ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system will facilitate barrier-less, seamless toll collection by allowing vehicles to pass through toll plazas without halts, barriers, or manual intervention. Using high-resolution ANPR cameras, the system will automatically read vehicle number plates, while FASTag RFID readers simultaneously process toll deductions from linked accounts.
The ministry has emphasized that this barrier-less system will be piloted only at selected toll plazas and not as a full-scale nationwide replacement of FASTag. Bids have been invited by NHAI for implementation at these locations, and a decision on broader deployment will be made only after evaluating performance metrics, operational efficiency, and user feedback.
Ensuring Compliance: Enforcement Measures in Place
To ensure smooth operation and discourage evasion:
- E-notices will be issued to vehicles that fail to maintain a valid FASTag or have unsuccessful toll deductions.
- FASTag accounts may be suspended for continued violations.
- Additional penalties may be enforced under the VAHAN regulatory system.
These enforcement mechanisms aim to build public confidence in the system and maintain integrity in toll collection.
An ANPR-FASTag-based system represents a phased evolution toward smarter, more efficient tolling, underpinned by real-time data, compliance enforcement, and technological synergy.