Starting November 15, commuters using national highways without a valid FASTag will face revised toll charges based on their payment method. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, to incentivize digital payments and reduce cash transactions at toll plazas.
Under the new rule, vehicles entering a toll plaza without a functional FASTag will be charged double the applicable user fee if they pay in cash. However, those who opt to pay via the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) will be charged 1.25 times the standard toll. For instance, if the toll for a vehicle is ₹100 with FASTag, it will cost ₹200 in cash and ₹125 via UPI.
The government's decision aims to promote digital transactions, enhance transparency in toll collection, and ease commuting on national highways. FASTag was introduced to digitize toll payments, reduce queues, and streamline the process. Making FASTag mandatory was intended to further this goal, with penalties for non-compliance. The new UPI option offers a more convenient alternative for occasional users or those facing technical issues with their FASTags.
According to a notification issued on Friday, nearly 98% of toll collections are currently done through FASTag. However, some users still pay in cash due to a missing FASTag, an invalid tag, or insufficient balance. The ministry aims to eliminate cash transactions at toll plazas, which often lead to revenue leakage.
The amended rules, known as the Third Amendment Rules, 2025, reflect the government's commitment to using technology for efficient toll collection and reducing congestion. The ministry has made it mandatory for toll collection agencies to issue receipts specifying the date and time of payment, the total amount received, and the vehicle class. This measure is intended to ensure accountability and maintain high-quality toll collection systems.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has amended toll rules, effective November 15, 2025, to incentivize digital payments. Non-FASTag vehicles will now pay 1.25 times the applicable fee via UPI or double the fee in cash. This aims to boost digital adoption and streamline toll transactions on national highways.
In cases where a vehicle with a valid FASTag and sufficient balance is unable to pay due to malfunctioning electronic toll collection infrastructure, the user will be allowed to pass without payment, and a zero-transaction receipt will be issued. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will also install Project Information Sign Boards with QR codes along National Highway stretches to provide project-specific information and emergency helpline numbers to commuters.
