New System Targets Toll Evasion, Pending FASTag Dues

Government Tightens Toll Rules to Curb FASTag Evasion

In a major move to curb toll evasion and recover unpaid FASTag charges, the central government has introduced a stricter enforcement framework affecting vehicles on national highways. Under the revised system, vehicles with outstanding toll dues will face restrictions on key approvals such as no-objection certificates (NOC), fitness certificates, and national permits, officials confirmed.

The NOC is crucial for vehicle owners seeking re-registration in another state or transferring ownership. With the new framework, vehicles with pending toll payments will be denied this essential certificate, ensuring that defaulters cannot evade financial responsibility when moving their vehicles across state lines.

Commercial vehicles, in particular, will face stricter scrutiny. Fitness certificates, which certify that a vehicle is roadworthy, will not be issued or renewed until all toll dues are cleared. Similarly, applications for national permits—required for trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles operating across states—will be examined for pending toll payments. Approvals will be granted only after verification that no dues remain, directly impacting vehicles that frequently use national highways for commercial purposes.

The system also leverages technology to identify vehicles attempting to bypass payments. Toll plazas equipped with RFID readers can automatically detect vehicles with low FASTag balances or blacklisted tags. Officials noted that such cases often arise due to FASTag failures or technical issues, but the new enforcement ensures prompt identification and recovery of dues.

To support this initiative, digital records of defaulters will be shared with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and relevant banks. Integration of these records with NPCI and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ digital systems will enhance tracking of unpaid tolls and improve recovery efficiency.

Officials emphasized that the move is part of a broader effort to strengthen highway infrastructure management and ensure fairness in toll collection. By linking vehicle approvals and essential documents to toll compliance, authorities aim to significantly reduce instances of evasion while encouraging timely FASTag payments.

The enhanced enforcement is expected to impact thousands of vehicle owners, particularly in the commercial transport sector, and is seen as a proactive step toward digital accountability and financial discipline on India’s national highways.