The Government of India has announced revised guidelines for the issuance and renewal of exempted FASTags for eligible Divyangjan and Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
Slated to take effect from Oct 2, the updated framework is designed to make the National Highway tolling ecosystem significantly more transparent, user-friendly, and accessible.
Under the revised norms, vehicles specially engineered for individuals with physical disabilities, as well as those officially registered under the ownership category ‘Divyangjan’, will receive exempted FASTags based on the precise percentage of disability documented in a valid Disability Certificate, Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card, or other relevant records.
Crucially, the new policy addresses long-standing procedural hurdles by replacing the previous mandate requiring annual renewals. Moving forward, FASTags issued to individuals with 70% to 100% disability will boast an extended validity of five years, while those granted to individuals with 40% to under 70% disability will remain valid for three years.
Subsequent renewals will continue subject to ongoing eligibility and compliance with the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008. Officials note that the streamlined approach successfully curtails the need for repeated bureaucratic paperwork while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards.