New FASTag laws from February 17: Penalties, transaction limits, and learn how to steer clear of further fees

Toll bills via FASTag are about to switch, and commuters want to be ready. Starting February 17, 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will put in force new validation laws to make sure smoother transactions at toll plazas. These adjustments will at once affect FASTag customers who fail to handle enough steadiness or stay their accounts up to date. Violations may just lead to declined transactions and monetary consequences.

Key Changes in FASTag Validation

According to the most recent NPCI round issued on January 28, 2025, FASTag transactions will now be validated in keeping with the time of scanning and account standing. The new laws introduce two crucial time-based prerequisites:

• 60-minute rule: If a FASTag is blacklisted or marked as having a low steadiness greater than 60 mins earlier than scanning, the transaction will probably be rejected.
• 10-minute rule: If a FASTag is blacklisted inside of 10 mins after scanning, the toll rate would possibly nonetheless be processed, however consequences might be imposed.

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Additionally, if an account does now not agree to NPCI pointers, transactions will probably be declined with Error Code 176. This signifies that if a FASTag stays inactive past the permissible prohibit, the toll cost might not be processed.

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Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to fulfill those pointers will result in monetary consequences. Commuters whose FASTag transactions are rejected will probably be required to pay double the toll rate. However, if a person recharges their account inside of 10 mins of scanning at a toll plaza, they may be able to steer clear of consequences and pay the usual toll quantity.

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Steps to Avoid Penalties

FASTag customers will have to be sure that they have got enough steadiness of their accounts earlier than beginning a adventure. Regularly bank account standing and updating YC main points will assist steer clear of blacklisting. Keeping FASTag accounts energetic will save you pointless fees and make sure seamless toll bills.

Experts imagine those adjustments will assist cut back transaction screw ups and disputes at toll plazas, making toll assortment extra environment friendly for all customers.