Starting May 1, 2025, road travel in India will witness a revolutionary upgrade. The Central government is set to replace the existing FASTag toll system with a GNSS-based tolling model, aimed at offering commuters a smoother, faster, and more efficient experience.
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) will completely transform how tolls are collected. Unlike FASTag, which relies on RFID scanners and windshield tags, GNSS tracks vehicles through satellite-based navigation. With this, tolls will no longer be collected at fixed booths—instead, you'll be charged based on the distance you actually travel on national highways.
To make this work, vehicles must be fitted with a GPS-enabled tracker approved by the government. This device will monitor your vehicle’s movement, and toll amounts will be automatically deducted from your linked digital wallet. The system will support both prepaid and postpaid options, making it flexible for users.
Despite its popularity, FASTag—introduced in 2016—has come under fire for technical glitches, misuse, and long queues. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recently confirmed that GNSS will address these pain points by making toll collection contactless, seamless, and fully automated.
For now, users must continue using FASTag until April 30, 2025. Starting May 1, commuters must install a GNSS-compatible GPS device and link it to their bank accounts. Once fully onboarded, FASTag stickers can be removed.
This move brings India closer to the vision of intelligent, tech-driven highways and is expected to reduce not just congestion but also fraud and manual errors at toll plazas.
With this transition, India joins the league of nations embracing next-gen mobility solutions. So the next time you hit the highway—your toll charges will be fair, automatic, and distance-based.
