No, FASTag Will Not Be Replaced by GPS Tolling on May 1: Government Clarifies

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirms that FASTag will continue as the primary toll system; GPS-based tolling is only in trial phase on select routes like Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

New Delhi | April 20, 2025
Dismissing recent media speculation, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has officially clarified that FASTag will not be replaced by GPS-based tolling from May 1, 2025. The government emphasized that there is no nationwide rollout planned for GPS or satellite-based toll collection systems at present.

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Instead, a new hybrid tolling system, combining Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with the existing FASTag framework, is being tested on select corridors, including the New Delhi-Mumbai expressway. The outcome of this pilot project and user feedback will determine if broader implementation will follow.

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“There is no such decision to implement a satellite-based tolling system from May 1,” the ministry said, urging commuters to continue using their FASTag accounts, preferably linked with UPI or auto-recharge options.

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🔍 What is the New ANPR-FASTag Hybrid System?

The ANPR-FASTag Barrier-Less Tolling System uses AI-enabled cameras to read vehicle number plates and cross-verifies them with RFID-based FASTag accounts—eliminating the need to stop at toll booths.

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✅ How It Works:

1. ANPR cameras capture number plates.
2. RFID readers verify the FASTag affixed on the vehicle.
3. If matched, the toll is automatically deducted.
4. If unmatched or insufficient balance, the system logs the vehicle and issues an e-notice or triggers penalty actions via the VAHAN portal.

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🌟 Benefits of the Hybrid System:

• No halting at toll booths = reduced travel time
• Barrier-free traffic flow, improving highway efficiency
• Postpaid toll recovery for non-compliant vehicles
• Potentially lower operational costs in the long term

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⚠️ Important Note for Drivers:

• FASTag remains fully operational and mandatory at all current toll plazas.
• The hybrid model is only a pilot program—not a full-fledged national system.
• The Delhi-Mumbai route is one of the few locations where the trial is ongoing.

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Tags: FASTag, GPS tolling, ANPR toll, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI, toll collection system, India highways, RFID tolling, barrier-less toll, Delhi-Mumbai Expressway