FASTag New Rules: Mandatory For All Vehicles In This State From April 1, 2025

The Maharashtra cabinet has announced that starting April 1, 2025, FASTag will be mandatory for all vehicles in the state.

FASTag is an RFID passive tag that allows for toll payments directly from the vehicle owner's linked prepaid or savings/current account. Affixed to the vehicle's windscreen, it enables drivers to pass through toll plazas without stopping, as the toll fare is automatically deducted from the linked account.

Once attached to a vehicle, FASTag is vehicle-specific and cannot be transferred to another vehicle. It can be purchased from any NETC Member Bank, and if linked to a prepaid account, it requires periodic recharges or top-ups based on usage. If a customer fails to maintain an adequate balance, their FASTag will be blacklisted at toll plazas.

In such cases, if the customer drives through a toll plaza without a sufficient balance, they will not be able to use the NETC services and will have to pay the toll fee in cash.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) developed the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program to provide a seamless electronic toll payment system. NETC allows for interoperability across toll plazas nationwide, meaning customers can use their FASTag for payments at any toll plaza, regardless of who operates the plaza.

FASTag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to facilitate toll payments while the vehicle is in motion, offering advantages like saving time and fuel, as vehicles do not need to stop at toll booths.