Key Highlights

• India had 6.23 crore active FASTag users as of June 2026, the Centre informed Parliament.
• More than 77 lakh FASTag Annual Passes have been issued since the scheme's launch in August 2025.
• The government is expanding Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling to reduce congestion and improve travel efficiency.
• Five MLFF toll plazas are operational, while 17 have been approved and 104 more identified for future rollout.
• No final decision has been taken on introducing nationwide satellite-based GNSS tolling.

FASTag Adoption Continues to Grow

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways informed the Lok Sabha that India had 6.23 crore active FASTag users as of June 2026, reflecting the continued expansion of the country's electronic toll collection system.

The update was provided in a written reply in Parliament as part of the government's broader efforts to modernise toll collection and improve traffic flow on national highways.

Over 77 Lakh Annual Passes Issued

The ministry said the FASTag Annual Pass Scheme, launched on August 15, 2025, for non-commercial cars, jeeps and vans, has witnessed significant adoption.

According to the government:

• More than 77 lakh annual passes have been issued.
• The scheme has facilitated nearly 63 crore electronic toll transactions.
• Annual pass holders now account for approximately 33% of all electronic toll transactions by eligible private vehicles.

Priced at ₹3,075 per year, the pass is intended to offer frequent highway users a more convenient and economical toll payment option.

Barrier-Free Tolling Expansion Underway

The government is gradually introducing Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling technology to reduce congestion at toll plazas.

The system combines:

• FASTag (RFID) technology.
• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based vehicle identification.

Unlike conventional toll plazas, MLFF allows vehicles to continue moving without stopping or slowing down while toll charges are collected electronically.

According to the ministry, the system is expected to:

• Reduce waiting times.
• Improve traffic flow.
• Lower fuel consumption.
• Enhance road safety.
• Cut travel time.

MLFF Rollout Progress

The government informed Parliament that:

• 17 toll plazas have been approved for MLFF implementation.
• Five toll plazas are already operational.
• 104 additional toll plazas have been identified for future deployment.

The rollout will continue in phases across the national highway network.

No Decision Yet on GNSS-Based Tolling

The ministry clarified that no final decision has been taken regarding the nationwide introduction of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based tolling.

According to the government, an expert committee studying the proposal has recommended further consultations before any large-scale implementation.

For now, the government's focus remains on expanding the FASTag- and ANPR-based MLFF system.

Existing Toll Plaza Distance Rule Remains

The Centre also reiterated the provisions of the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.

Under the rules:

• Toll plazas in the same direction are generally required to be at least 60 kilometres apart.
• Exceptions may be permitted based on local conditions and recommendations of the competent authority.

Why This Matters

With more than 6.23 crore active FASTag users, India's digital toll collection ecosystem has become one of the world's largest. The expansion of barrier-free MLFF technology is expected to improve highway efficiency by reducing congestion, lowering fuel consumption and shortening travel times. While satellite-based GNSS tolling remains under evaluation, the current strategy indicates that India will continue strengthening its FASTag-based infrastructure before considering a broader shift to newer tolling technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many active FASTag users are there in India?

The government informed Parliament that India had 6.23 crore active FASTag users as of June 2026.

What is the FASTag Annual Pass?

The Annual Pass allows eligible non-commercial vehicles to pay ₹3,075 annually for highway travel under the scheme introduced in August 2025.

What is MLFF tolling?

Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) is a barrier-less toll collection system that uses FASTag, ANPR cameras and AI to collect tolls without requiring vehicles to stop.

Is India introducing satellite-based GNSS tolling?

Not yet. The government said no final decision has been taken, and the proposal remains under review by an expert committee.

How many MLFF toll plazas are operational?

According to the government, five MLFF toll plazas are operational, with 17 approved and 104 more planned for future implementation.