Is India shifting from FASTag system to GPS-based toll deduction at toll plazas? Fact-Check

Several claims on social media have suddenly vouched for a satellite-tracking system to pay toll on national highway, replacing the burdensome and allegedly erratic FASTag system. The support for the new system has attracted the attention of many users as it was claimed that the system is going to be implemented from May 1, 2025, in less than a month.

See the claims here. One user wrote: “No more FASTag from May 1? India to launch GPS-based toll system.” Another wrote: “India’s shifting from FASTag to GPS-based tolls from 1st May 2025 Pay only for the kms you drive. No more waiting, no more scanning. Real-time tracking via NavIC GPS.”

No more FASTag from May 1? India to launch GPS-based toll system pic.twitter.com/R7zIgZ33Em

— Smartprix (@Smartprix) April 17, 2025

 

🚨 India’s shifting from FASTag to GPS-based tolls from 1st May 2025

👉 Pay only for the kms you drive.
👉 No more waiting, no more scanning.
👉 Real-time tracking via NavIC GPS. pic.twitter.com/nWKUVEUNXy

— DARK HORSE OF STOCK MARKET 🇮🇳 (@BeyondTrading07) April 17, 2025

FACT-CHECK

Since the claim has gone viral with a note of urgency embedded on it that it is going to be introduced in less than a month, many people started sharing it on social media platforms. When Digiteye India received a request for an authenticity check, we searched for the official statement from the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

In fact, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari told a public event on April 14, 2025 about it.

Watch: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says, “In next 15 days we are coming with toll policy and you will satisfy from our toll policy (National Highways). We are starting satellite toll system so that you don’t have to stop for toll plazas…” pic.twitter.com/cn2wFWBXzl

— IANS (@ians_india) April 14, 2025

He further said, “No one will stop you. The camera will take photos of your number plate and the exact toll will be taken from your bank accounts.”

But a quick search on Google revealed that the idea is still in its nascent stage and certainly not to be implemented from May 1, 2025 as claimed in several posts shared on social media.

To quell the misleading claims, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has released a statement denying that the viral claim is false. Dated April 18, 2025, the release titled “Clarification on Launch of Satellite-based Tolling System from 1st May 2025”, clearly stated that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways or National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has not taken any decision pertaining to the nationwide implementation of satellite-based tolling from May 1, 2025.

“The ‘ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System’ will be implemented at selected toll plazas,“ the release stated, to facilitate barrier-free movement of vehicles through toll plazas and reduce travel time. “Based on the performance, efficiency, and user response to this system, a decision will be made regarding its implementation across the country,” it clarified.

Hence, the claim about the date of introduction of the new system across the country from May 1, 2025 is false.

Claim: India is shifting from FASTag to GPS-based tolls from 1st May 2025.

Conclusion: Misleading. No decision has been taken by NHAI to replace FASTag system from May 1, 2025, though the idea of GPS-based system is under consideration.

Rating: Misleading —