NHAI Confirms Real-Time Tag Status for FASTag Users

In reference to the news items carried by some publications regarding change of FASTag Rule 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) clarifies that the Circular No NPCI/2024-25/NETC/004A, dated 28.01.2025 issued by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has no impact on FASTag customer experience.

The Circular has been issued by NPCI to facilitate the resolution of disputes between the Acquirer Bank and Issuer Bank on FASTag status while the vehicle crosses Toll Plazas.  The Circular also aims to ensure that the FASTag transactions are created within a reasonable time of vehicle passing a Toll Plaza so that customers are not harassed by late transactions.

All National Highway Toll Plazas operate on ICD 2.5 protocol which gives real-time tag status, hence the FASTag customers can recharge any time before crossing the Toll Plaza.

Some Toll plazas on State Highways are still on ICD 2.4 protocol which needs regular updates of Tag status.  It is being planned to shift all such Toll plazas to ICD 2.5 protocol, shortly.

The FASTag customers are encouraged to link their FASTag wallet to UPI/Current/Saving Accounts under the auto-recharge setting to eliminate the need for manual recharges.  Customers can continue to recharge their FASTag any time before reaching the toll, using a variety of payment channels such as UPI, net banking, and more.