FASTag Mandate Sparks Commuter Outcry Over Double Tolls and Tech Glitches
The nationwide shift to mandatory FASTag and exclusively online toll collection on all highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, has ignited a surge of grievances from travellers. Commuters are voicing significant frustration over the elimination of cash payment methods, persistent technical malfunctions at toll plazas, and the enforcement of hefty "double toll" penalties. Since the full implementation of the cashless system, drivers with inactive tags, insufficient balances, or those encountering system errors have frequently found themselves stranded and inconvenienced.
Infrastructure Failures and Unjust Penalties
Individuals lacking digital payment options have reported extensive delays and confusion, particularly in regions with weak network connectivity where digital transactions often fail unexpectedly. "The rule against accepting cash is now in effect, but the infrastructure isn't ready," emphasized activist Vivek Velankar. "Many commuters discover that cameras or handheld scanners at toll plazas fail to read their FASTags correctly. Even when there is a sufficient balance, operators often claim the tag is invalid and force commuters to pay in cash at double the rate. This is absolutely unjust."
Under current regulations, motorists who fail to pay via FASTag are charged twice the standard toll amount. While UPI serves as an alternative, users incur a fee of 1.25 times the applicable toll. However, this backup option proves unreliable; IT professional Mohit Rana highlighted that network issues frequently disrupt UPI transactions, leaving travellers in a difficult predicament.
Impact on Vulnerable Groups and Official Responses
The absence of a cash option has posed particular challenges for senior citizens and occasional travellers. "I had to pay double the amount because of a scanner error. It makes highway travel very stressful," shared regular commuter Manisha Khade. As of April 1, 2026, all national highway toll plazas have transitioned to a fully cashless system, with payments strictly restricted to RFID-based FASTags or UPI for all vehicles categorized as four-wheelers and above.
Officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) asserted that this move aims to streamline traffic, reduce congestion, and enhance transparency. They stressed that FASTags can be easily recharged via net banking, credit/debit cards, or various banking apps. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials added that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways anticipates the digital system will significantly cut fuel consumption and vehicle emissions by reducing wait times. "Digital payments create a clear audit trail, minimizing discrepancies and ensuring better accountability," an NHAI official stated.
Precautions and Availability for Commuters
Despite the push for digitalisation, authorities have cautioned that network disruptions may still cause brief hold-ups. They advise commuters to ensure their FASTags are active, adequately funded, and linked to a bank account before beginning a journey. Travellers are also encouraged to keep a functional UPI app as a secondary backup. FASTags remain available for purchase at toll plazas, bank branches, online platforms, and over 40,000 point-of-sale locations. Frequent travellers can further simplify the process by opting for annual passes valid for 200 trips.
