FASTag Revolutionizes Toll Collection with 98% Usage
The implementation of FASTag is transforming toll operations on India’s highways. As of December 2025, a staggering 11.86 crore FASTags have been issued, resulting in over 98% of user fees on National Highways being collected electronically. This shift towards Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is improving efficiency and reducing congestion.
In a bid to enhance the experience for highway users, the government launched Annual Pass discount passes on August 15, 2025, under the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules 2008. Since their launch, approximately 42 lakh Annual Passes have been activated, facilitating a remarkable 19 crore transactions up to the end of December 2025. Notably, about 25% of non-commercial vehicles are utilizing FASTag transactions through Annual Passes.
Barrier-less Tolling System to be Implemented
The government has also taken steps to implement a barrier-less tolling system. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been invited and finalized for several fee plazas, with plans for potential implementation at additional plazas based on success rates. The first phase includes fee plazas such as Gharaunda, Chorayasi, and Daulatpura, all of which have already been awarded contracts.
The average daily collection through FASTag stands at around Rs. 186 crores, with approximately 105 lakh ETC transactions recorded at National Highway fee plazas during the 2025-26 financial year. This consistent growth in FASTag adoption is instrumental in streamlining toll operations.
Significant Time Savings for Highway Users
Impact assessments of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) Programme for 2024-25 reveal a remarkable decrease in the average time taken for vehicles to cross fee plazas. Vehicles now take just 40 seconds on average at ETC plazas, showing a drastic improvement compared to the 12.23 minutes under the old manual tolling system. This enhancement in traffic flow illustrates a significant reduction in congestion, benefiting highway users across the nation.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari Ji, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving road travel efficiency and user experience.
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