FASTag mandatory for all vehicles in Maharashtra from April 1: Drive smart, skip the wait!

The Maharashtra government announced that FASTags will be mandatory for all private and commercial vehicles starting April 1, 2025. Officials made this decision during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to ease traffic congestion, encourage cashless toll payments, and improve efficiency at toll plazas.

FASTags, introduced under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program, use RFID technology to automatically deduct toll fees. This system reduces travel time, saves fuel, and cuts pollution while ensuring smooth traffic flow at toll points.

In 2019, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways launched the initiative, designating most toll plaza lanes as FASTag-only lanes, except one lane for non-FASTag users. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) equipped all toll plazas with electronic toll systems to implement this change effectively.

With this mandate, Maharashtra aims to align with the nationwide push for digital transactions and smarter transportation solutions. Vehicle owners without FASTags will face delays and higher toll fees, urging motorists to adopt the system promptly.