Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 5: In a major relief to highway commuters, the Government of India has announced a significant change to the existing toll payment rules. Beginning November 15, 2025, vehicles without a valid FASTag or with a non-functional tag will no longer have to pay double the toll if they choose to make the payment digitally.
Under the revised rules, announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) through an amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, commuters without FASTag can now opt to pay through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and will be charged only 1.25 times the regular toll fee.
However, those choosing to pay in cash will continue to pay twice the standard toll amount as per the earlier rule.
For instance, if the standard toll fee for a vehicle is Rs 100, a non-FASTag user paying in cash will be charged Rs 200, while a commuter using UPI will be required to pay only Rs 125.
The Centre said the move is aimed at encouraging digital transactions, reducing cash handling at toll plazas, and improving efficiency and transparency in toll collection across National Highways.
Officials further noted that the step will help ease congestion at toll gates, promote cashless travel, and provide a fair alternative for those who have yet to transition to FASTag or are facing issues with their existing tags.
The new rule, set to be implemented nationwide from November 15, is being welcomed by commuters as a practical and commuter-friendly measure that balances digital innovation with public convenience.