GPS-Based Toll System To Replace FASTags From May 1? No, Viral Claim Is False

FASTags are being replaced by the GPS-based toll system from May 1, 2025

The post can be seen here.

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 A keyword search for “FASTag” and “May 1” on Google led us to a release by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, dated April 18, 2025, titled “Clarification on Launch of Satellite-based Tolling System from 1st May 2025.” 

It confirmed that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways or National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has not taken any such decision regarding the nationwide implementation of satellite-based tolling from May 1, 2025. 

“In order to enable seamless, barrier-free movement of vehicles through toll plazas and reduce travel time ‘ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System’ will be implemented at selected toll plazas,“ the release further stated. 

The new system will combine the ANPR of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to identify the vehicles by reading their number plates, and the existing ‘FASTag system’ that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) to deduct toll. 

The release further added that the NHAI has invited bids for the implementation of ‘ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System’ which will be installed at selected toll plazas. “Based on the performance, efficiency, and user response to this system, a decision will be made regarding its implementation across the country,” it clarified. 

The release did not specify any timeline for the implementation of the same. 

Multiple outlets such as this, this and this also reported on the same.

During further research, we found a video of the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari addressing a public event on April 14, 2025, where he said, “…I will not speak more about tolls, but you will get a policy within 15 days…We are starting a satellite-based toll system…no one will stop you (at tolls). The camera will take photos of your number plate and the exact toll will be taken from your bank accounts…” 

Notably, the new ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less toll system, which will be initially installed at selected toll plazas, also uses the ANPR cameras along with the existing RFID system for tolling. The Ministry, however, has denied the shift to satellite-based toll systems. 

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Hence, the viral claim that the FASTags are being replaced by GPS-based tolling from May 1, was found to be false. 

Source
Release By Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Dated April 18, 2025

(Update: The article was updated on April 22, 2025 to include comments made by Nitin Gadkari on April 14, 2025.)