The Indian government has announced significant relief for vehicle owners traveling on national highways without a FASTag or with a malfunctioning FASTag. They will no longer be required to pay double the toll tax. Starting November 15, 2025, such vehicle owners will be charged 1.25 times the toll fee if they make the payment via UPI. Currently, vehicles without a valid FASTag are required to pay double the toll at toll plazas in cash. This new rule aims to promote digital payments.
The government has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. This change is intended to reduce cash transactions on highways and encourage digital payments. According to a government statement, the change aims to encourage digital payments and eliminate cash transactions. If a vehicle arrives at a highway plaza without a valid FASTag, it will have to pay double the toll if paying in cash. However, if the vehicle owner pays via UPI, they will only have to pay 1.25 times the toll.
For example, if the normal toll fee for a vehicle is Rs 100:
* Payment with FASTag: Rs 100
* Payment in cash: Rs 200
* Payment via UPI: Rs 125
This means that if you do not have a FASTag or if it is not working, you can save approximately Rs 75 by paying via UPI. This step has been taken to encourage digital transactions and reduce long toll lines.
The government says this change will make the toll collection system more transparent and faster. The time taken for cash payments will be saved, and vehicle owners will be relieved from long queues at toll plazas. The new rule will not only benefit passengers but will also provide the government with better records and transparency in toll collection.
This new rule will be implemented on November 15, 2025, at national highway toll plazas across the country. The government’s goal is to gradually make all toll lanes cashless and fully digital to make travel easier and faster on highways across the country.