To explore innovative applications of FASTag beyond toll collection, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), organized a workshop in New Delhi with key FinTech companies. The event aimed to gather insights on regulatory compliance, grievance redressal, security, and potential non-toll uses of FASTag, marking a significant step toward its next phase of evolution.
The workshop saw the presence of several high-level dignitaries, including Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of State Shri Ajay Tamta, Ministry Secretary Shri V. Umashankar, DFS Secretary Shri M. Nagaraju, RBI Executive Director Shri P. Vasudevan, NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, and senior officials from MoRTH, NHAI, and IHMCL, along with representatives from the FinTech sector.
Highlighting FASTag’s growing potential, Shri Nitin Gadkari stated, “FASTag is more than just a tolling solution—it has the capacity to serve as a comprehensive digital mobility platform. By collaborating with FinTech companies and other stakeholders, we aim to transform FASTag into a multifunctional tool that enhances convenience, streamlines mobility, and improves overall transport efficiency.”
Shri V. Umashankar, Secretary of MoRTH, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “FinTech has been a catalyst for innovation in India, while FASTag has revolutionized electronic tolling. This workshop is about combining both strengths to achieve a cashless, time-efficient, and secure tolling experience. The government will serve as a facilitator, while FinTech drives innovation.”
NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav noted, “This workshop is a critical step towards broadening the application of FASTag. The insights shared today will help shape solutions that go beyond tolling, catering to the wider needs of highway users.”
Setting the context, Shri Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration), NHAI, said, “FinTech leads the charge in technology and innovation. Leveraging this ecosystem can significantly improve not only toll collection but also the overall user experience on national highways.”
The workshop featured multiple sessions with industry and FinTech experts, focused on the future evolution of FASTag. Discussions included potential new use cases such as FASTag integration with EV charging stations, parking management, insurance services, and its role as a multipurpose digital payment tool.
Participants were also introduced to Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling, an upcoming advancement that allows seamless, barrier-free tolling using high-performance RFID readers and ANPR cameras to read FASTags and vehicle registration numbers.
Currently, the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag system accounts for 98.5% of toll payments across 1,728 toll plazas (1,113 on National Highways and 615 on State Highways), with over 11.04 crore FASTags issued by 38 banks. This workshop laid the groundwork for expanding FASTag’s utility, enhancing digital convenience, and reinforcing good governance through cutting-edge, tech-driven tolling infrastructure.