Govt Clarifies: No FASTag for Railway Parking, But Digital Payments to Expand

The Indian Railways has ruled out the implementation of FASTag for parking at railway stations. However, it is pushing for digital payments, automation, and improved transparency in parking fee collection.

Indian Railways Opts for Digital Payments Over FASTag for Parking

The Indian Railways has no immediate plans to introduce FASTag for parking at railway stations, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Instead, the government is focusing on digital payments, automated entry and exit systems, and automated fee receipts to improve efficiency and transparency in parking operations.

Responding to a question by BJP MP Rajkumar Chahar, who inquired whether the Ministry of Railways was considering FASTag for station parking, Vaishnaw clarified that while the radio-frequency identification (RFID) system has been widely adopted for toll collection on highways, its implementation for railway parking is not currently in the works.

However, the Railways is actively promoting automation and cashless transactions to streamline parking fee collection and reduce manual intervention.

Why is FASTag Not Being Considered for Railway Parking?

The FASTag system, which allows seamless electronic toll collection on highways, has not been extended to railway station parking due to operational and infrastructure challenges.

Unlike highways, railway parking areas have varying layouts, multiple entry-exit points, and dynamic vehicle flow, making FASTag implementation more complex.

The minister stated that zonal railways have been advised to take measures such as:

Encouraging digital payments to reduce cash transactions.
Implementing automated entry and exit systems where feasible.
Issuing automated fee receipts to improve accountability.

While FASTag remains off the table for now, these steps are aimed at improving efficiency, curbing overcharging, and enhancing user experience.

How Are Parking Fees Managed at Railway Stations?

Parking charges at railway stations are collected as per the rates prescribed by the Railway Administration. To ensure transparency, the government mandates that:

Rate lists are displayed at parking sites to prevent overcharging.
Digital payment facilities are encouraged for hassle-free transactions.
Regular monitoring of parking contractors is conducted, with penalties for irregularities.

To manage congestion, the Railways also conducts surveys before allotting parking contracts. Additionally, duration-based entry fees have been introduced to regulate vehicle inflow and curb unauthorized parking.

What’s Next for Railway Parking Digitization?

While FASTag for railway parking is not being implemented, the push for digital solutions is expected to improve overall parking management. With automated entry and exit, digital payments, and stricter monitoring of contractors, passengers can expect a more efficient and transparent system in the future.

For now, railway passengers should be prepared to use digital payment methods at station parking facilities as the Railways continues its move towards modernization.