The government has been working to make the commute through the highways and to reduce burden off travellers’ shoulders, the government has taken yet another step. Starting November 15, those travelling through highways but have forgot to have the FASTag on their vehicles or to check if it is valid, will have to pay less fine at the toll booths.
FASTag was brought to move the entire toll payment to digital mode, reducing the long queue on highways and to make process less worrisome. Later, to make it mandatory, the government introduced fine for those travelling without it, which is double the mandated toll payment.
Now, as a big relief, the government has brought a new rule.
New UPI rule from November 15
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in an official release on Saturday, said the government wants to incentivise the digital payments to eliminate cash transaction at the toll plazas across the country.
“…the Government of India has amended National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. Under the new rule, vehicles entering a fee plaza without a valid, functional FASTag will be charged twice the applicable user fee, if the fee payment is made in cash,” it said.
However, the release stated, those who choose to pay through the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) will not be charged double the toll price; rather, they will have to pay 1.25x the toll payment.
“Such users who opt to pay the fee via the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), will be charged only 1.25 times the applicable user fee for that category of the vehicle. For example, if a vehicle needs to pay a user fee of ₹100 through valid FASTag, the fee will be ₹200 if paid in cash and ₹125, if paid via UPI,” the release further stated.
Why the change?
The ministry said the amendment is aimed at strengthening fee collection process, enhance transparency in toll collection and promote ease of commuting for the National Highway users. “This notification will come into effect from November 15, 2025,” it added.
The government further said that the modification to the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 reflect the Government of India’s commitment to leveraging technology for efficient toll collection and reducing congestion at the toll plazas. ”The revised rules will encourage the adoption of digital payments, enhance transparency in toll operations, and improve the overall user experience on National Highways,” the ministry said.