Have you also got money deducted from Fastag without taking your vehicle to the expressway? if the answer 'Yes' If yes, then just wait and find out how to get your money back. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) itself has admitted its mistake. The country's Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari gave this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Due to technical glitches and human errors in the FASTag system, cases of wrongful toll deduction from the accounts of many passengers have come to light. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) refunded the amount of such wrong deductions in about 18 lakh cases between January and December 2025 last year. Come, let us know about it in detail.
Toll deducted without leaving the vehicle!
According to the report of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), out of the total 464 crore Fastag transactions in 2025, there were 17.66 lakh transactions where wrong toll was deducted and refund was later issued. This is just 0.03% of the total transactions, but the government is taking it seriously. In about 35% of these cases, the vehicles had not even reached the toll plaza, that is, the vehicle was parked at home or somewhere else, yet money was deducted from the Fastag wallet.
Why is there variation in toll?
Most of such incidents occur when there is a technical fault in the automatic scanner or RFID reader at the toll plaza. In such a situation, toll operators enter the vehicle number in the system manually. Many times a wrong number is entered, due to which toll is deducted from the Fastag of another vehicle.
The Road Transport Ministry is now considering ending the practice of manual entry completely. Although the number of erroneous transactions is very less, it should not happen at all. Soon a decision can be taken to stop the facility of manual vehicle number feeding.
What should you do when this happens?
To avoid such errors and detect them immediately, turn on Fastag alert. Activate SMS alert from bank portal or app (like ICICI, HDFC, Kotak, My FASTag). It is necessary to link the mobile number. for balance check +91-8884333331 But give a missed call. If there is a wrong deduction, immediately 1033 (toll-free) or falsededuction@ihmcl.com Send email to. Refund is issued after investigation of the complaint.
The government is working towards strengthening Fastag. The satellite-based toll system is expected to be implemented by the end of 2026, which will bring barrier-free tolling and can almost eliminate such irregularities. If you also travel through the National Highway, then be a little cautious. If money has been deducted without the trip, it can be refunded through legal means.