Mon Feb 17 07:45:25 UTC 2025: ## New FASTag Regulations Crack Down on Late Payments and Low Balances
**New Delhi, [Date]** – Stricter regulations for India’s FASTag electronic toll collection system came into effect today, impacting how users manage their accounts and pay toll fees. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced the changes in a circular on January 28th. The new rules aim to streamline transactions and reduce delays at toll plazas.
Key changes include tighter deadlines for resolving low-balance or blacklisted FASTags. If a tag is blacklisted or shows insufficient funds for more than 60 minutes before reaching a toll plaza, the transaction will be rejected. A rejection will also occur if the blacklist status persists for 10 minutes after scanning. In such cases, drivers face a double toll penalty (error code 176).
However, a 70-minute grace period is provided before reaching a toll plaza to rectify a low balance. If a recharge is completed within 10 minutes of a failed transaction, users may be eligible for a penalty refund. Transactions processed more than 15 minutes after passing a toll reader may also incur additional charges.
Furthermore, a 15-day cooling-off period has been introduced before banks can process chargeback requests for incorrect deductions caused by blacklisted or low-balance FASTags.
The NPCI advises users to maintain sufficient FASTag balances, regularly check their tag status, and monitor transaction times to avoid penalties and delays. Last-minute recharges are unlikely to resolve issues if a tag has been blacklisted for an extended period. The new regulations emphasize proactive account management to ensure smooth passage through toll plazas.
First Piper 