In a bid to explore new possibilities for FASTag beyond toll payments, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), organised a workshop with leading fintech companies in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The event saw the participation of key dignitaries including Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Minister of State Ajay Tamta, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways V. Umashankar, Secretary of Department of Financial Services M. Nagaraju, RBI Executive Director P. Vasudevan, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, and senior officials from MoRTH, NHAI, and IHMCL.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Gadkari highlighted how FASTag has the potential to revolutionise digital mobility in India. “FASTag is not just about tolling. It can become a foundation for seamless digital travel experiences nationwide. Collaborating with fintechs will help us create a robust platform that improves user convenience, streamlines transport services, and brings efficiency to the entire sector,” he said. He added that the discussions and ideas exchanged during the event would pave the way for a digitally empowered National Highway network that benefits every commuter.
Echoing similar views, Secretary V. Umashankar noted that fintech has driven many innovative solutions in India, while FASTag has transformed electronic toll collection. “This workshop is about making toll collection cashless, convenient, time-efficient, and error-free. The government will play the role of facilitator, while fintechs bring in innovation to enhance the road user’s experience,” he said.
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav shared that the insights from the workshop would help expand FASTag’s utility beyond toll collection. “This is an opportunity to create future solutions that cater to the diverse needs of highway users,” he remarked.
Setting the tone for the event, Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration) at NHAI, said, “Fintech drives technology and innovation. Today’s workshop is a stepping-stone to leveraging this ecosystem for better toll systems and enhanced user experiences on national highways.”
The workshop featured focused group discussions with fintech experts on innovative FASTag use cases, including its integration with EV charging stations, parking payments, insurance, and as a flexible digital payment tool. Another key highlight was building awareness about Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling – a barrier-less system where toll transactions are done through high-performance RFID readers and ANPR cameras that scan FASTags and vehicle registration numbers without stopping traffic.
Currently, FASTag accounts for 98.5% of toll payments across 1,728 toll plazas in India, covering both national and state highways. Over 11 crore FASTags have been issued by around 38 banks so far.
The workshop concluded with a shared vision to harness technology and partnerships with fintech firms to shape the next phase of FASTag growth, making highway journeys more seamless and governance more efficient.
Source: As per the Press Release found on IHMCL official website and published on PIB (Posted On: 25 JUN 2025 6:57PM by PIB Delhi)