The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has told banks operating the RFID-based FASTag system at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) to stop using the cash-less toll device as an entry filter at Terminal 3 after numerous complaints from travellers. Reports surfaced this week that vehicles without an active FASTag were being diverted to the multi-level car park, causing them to overstay the free eight-minute pick-up window and pay higher fees. Airport operator DIAL introduced FASTag parking in 2024 to cut kerb-side congestion, but enforcement staff allegedly began blocking cars that lacked a tag or had insufficient balance. NHAI officials emphasised that FASTag is only a payment instrument and cannot be used to restrict access to public infrastructure. They have directed issuing banks to ensure the tag is optional and to create alternative payment lanes immediately. For business travellers, the clarification removes an unwelcome friction point at India’s busiest international gateway, which processes over 70 million passengers a year. Chauffeur-driven cars and ride-hailing fleets—many of which rotate between state borders with differing toll requirements—had struggled to maintain valid tags and balances for every trip. Travel-management companies welcomed the move but urged IGIA to improve signage and digital payments so drivers can settle parking dues without cash queues. Mobility experts say the episode highlights the need for national interoperability standards—India is piloting a ‘OneTag’ framework to unify toll, parking and fuel payments across platforms by 2027. Meanwhile, DIAL has been asked to submit a traffic-flow audit and propose passenger-friendly alternatives, such as pay-on-exit or QR-code billing, before next month’s holiday rush.
Source: The Indian Express
