New Delhi: To improve tolling efficiency and eliminate misuse, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has strengthened its mechanism for reporting and blacklisting of 'loose FASTags'—tags that are not affixed to the vehicle’s windscreen but instead kept in hand, commonly known as “tag-in-hand”.

These unauthorised practices create multiple operational problems including lane congestion, false chargebacks, and disruptions to closed loop tolling systems. They also compromise the reliability of the Electronic Toll Collection framework, leading to unnecessary delays and inconvenience for National Highway users.

In light of upcoming initiatives such as the FASTag-based Annual Pass System and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling, addressing this issue has become essential to maintaining system integrity.

To facilitate prompt action, NHAI has directed Toll Collection Agencies and Concessionaires to report such instances immediately via a dedicated email ID. Based on these reports, NHAI will initiate the blacklisting or hotlisting of the reported FASTags.

With FASTag adoption already crossing 98 percent, these measures are aimed at ensuring smooth, efficient, and hassle-free journeys for all highway users.

BI Bureau