NHAI issues clarification that FASTag users can recharge at any time before reaching a Toll Plaza, using various payment methods like UPI, Net Banking, etc.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has clarified that the Circular No NPCI/2024-25/NETC/004A, dated 28 January 2025, issued by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has no impact on FASTag customer experience.
With this clarification, they've made it clear that FASTag customers can recharge any time before reaching a Toll Plaza, using various payment methods, such as, UPI, net banking, etc.
This clarification by the NHAI was provided in a report today, on 19 February 2025, by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt of India.
Recently there were some news reports in some news publications, about recent changes in FASTag Rules, claiming that it introduces a grace period for recharging with a 60 minutes window before reaching toll booths, or, some news reports that claimed that the transaction at the toll will be declined if the FASTag is marked as low balance for more than 60 minutes before reaching the toll plaza.
In reference to such news items on some publications which claimed declining transactions on FASTags which are not active for more than 60 minutes prior to read time and up to 10 minutes after read time, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has provided the clarification that the Circular No NPCI/2024-25/NETC/004A, dated 28.01.2025, which was issued by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has no impact on FASTag customer experience.
NHAI clarifies that the recent circular in question, was issued by NPCI to facilitate resolution of disputes between the Acquirer Bank and Issuer Bank on FASTag status, which may happen while a vehicle crosses Toll Plazas.
The clarification further informs that this recent NPCI circular also aims to ensure that the FASTag transactions are created within a reasonable time of a vehicle passing a Toll Plaza, so that the customers or FASTag users are not harassed by late transactions.
The NPCI's recent circular (NPCI/2024-25/NETC/004A, dated January 28, 2025), is an addendum to their earlier Circular 004, on changes to the rule for declining transactions from tags under exception.
The recent circular of NPCI, dated January 28, 2025, had stated that : "Transactions that are presented shall be validated based on reader read time and the time at which the tag is placed under hotlist / low balance / blacklist. Transactions presented on tags which are not active for more than 60 minutes prior to reader read time and up to 10 minutes after reader read time shall be declined with reason code 176. For illustrations, please refer to Annexure I." These rules were implemented effective February 17, 2025
In their clarification, NHAI has stated that all National Highway Toll Plazas operate on ICD 2.5 protocol, which gives real-time tag status, and hence FASTag customers can recharge any time before crossing the Toll Plaza.
The NHAI clarification also says that some Toll plazas on State Highways are still on ICD 2.4 protocol which needs regular updates of Tag status. NHAI adds that it is planning to soon shift all such Toll plazas to ICD 2.5 protocol.
In their clarification, NHAI encourages all FASTag customers to link their FASTag wallet to UPI/Current/Saving Accounts under auto-recharge setting, to avoid recharging it manually.
It further states that FASTag Customers can continue recharging their FASTag at any time before reaching the toll, using a variety of payment channels such as UPI, net banking, and more.
To avoid getting your FASTag blacklisted or inactive, maintain sufficient balance in your FASTag account or always check the balance and recharge if necessary, before embarking on your journey through tolled highways. Otherwise, you may end up paying double the toll fee at each toll plaza. To check your FASTag status, you can use your FASTag issuing bank's website or app, or even on NPCI website.
For any issues or enquiry, or complaints on toll plaza or FASTag related queries, you can contact NHAI's 24x7 National Highay helpline toll-free number 1033. In case of wrong toll deductions or issues related to toll deductions, you can contact your FASTag issuing bank's customer care helpline number that is listed on their FASTag related website or app.
- Clarification on New FASTag Rule - Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, PIB - Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India. Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi.