The introduction of FASTag to collect toll fees digitally on all highways and toll roads under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) has resulted in a drastic rise in collection of toll fees across the country, according to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The government had declared all lanes of the fee plazas on National Highways to be “FASTag lane of the fee plaza” from midnight of February 16, 2021.
The nationwide revenue from toll plazas which was just Rs.25,154.76 crore in the financial year 2018-19 had almost doubled to Rs 48,028.22 crore during the financial year 2022-23. And for the year 2023-24 until November 23, the figure has already crossed. Rs. 36 crore and is likely to pass the Rs. 49-crore mark.
Nationwide revenue from toll plazas which was just Rs.25,154.76 crore in the financial year 2018-19 had almost doubled to Rs 48,028.22 crore during the financial year 2022-23.
The total length of toll roads, which was just 25,996 km in 2018-19 has now increased to 45,428 up to November 2023 increasing steadily over the years. The numbers which were slightly lower during the Covid-19 pandemic during the years 2020-21 when the revenue reported was just Rs. 27,923.80 crore and 2021-22 when it had slightly risen to Rs. 33,907.72 had then recovered comfortably to over Rs. 48-crore by the next financial year, according to data put out by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
More than 7.98 Crore FASTags have been issued till 30.11.2023. Average Daily collection via FASTag on NH fee plaza is Rs. 147.31 Crore and Number of average daily ETC transaction on NH fee plaza is Rs. 86.61 Lakh in F.Y. 23-24 (till Nov 2023).
So far, more than 7.98 Crore FASTags have been issued till 30.11.2023. Average Daily collection via FASTag on NH fee plaza is Rs. 147.31 Crore and Number of average daily ETC transaction on NH fee plaza is Rs. 86.61 Lakh in F.Y. 23-24 (till Nov 2023).
The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) is the Central Clearing House (CCH) and there are thirty-Nine (39) banks (including Public and Private sector banks) engaged as issuer banks for FASTag issuance to road users and fourteen (14) acquirer banks to process the transactions at fee plazas.
The Ministry had mandated fitment of FASTag in M&N categories of motor vehicles with effect from 1st January 2021. While Category ‘M’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying passengers. Category ‘N’ stands for a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying goods, which may also carry persons in addition to goods.