FASTag compliance: NHAI to blacklist ‘loose tag’ customers; move aims to curb toll fraud and ease congestion

In a bid to enhance toll plaza effectivity and put together for upcoming digital tolling upgrades, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a stricter coverage for blacklisting customers of ‘unfastened FASTags’—these not affixed to car windscreens.The NHAI mentioned the move is essential to make sure the authenticity of FASTags and the integrity of the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system, particularly forward of the rollout of annual passes and multi-lane free movement (MLFF) tolling, PTI reported.“To ensure smooth tolling operations and strengthen reporting of ‘loose FASTags’, NHAI has further streamlined its policy for Toll Collecting Agencies and Concessionaires to immediately report and blacklist such tags, also commonly called tag-in-hand,” the company mentioned in an announcement.It famous that some freeway customers deliberately hold FASTags indifferent from their autos, main to operational points together with false chargebacks, misuse of closed-loop techniques, congestion, and delays for compliant customers.To allow swift corrective motion, NHAI has supplied a devoted e mail ID for reporting such violations. “Based on the reports received, NHAI will take immediate action to initiate blacklisting or hotlisting of the reported FASTags,” it mentioned.The measure is a part of NHAI’s broader efforts to guarantee system reliability and person comfort on nationwide highways.