In Brief
Change in toll plaza rules
Government made a major change
Now, if you make a mistake, you will have to pay double toll
If you frequently travel on highways, this news is extremely important for you. A new rule will be implemented at toll plazas from November 15, 2025, which will directly affect your pocket. You may have to pay a hefty fine if your vehicle does not have a FASTag or if the tag is damaged. However, the government has announced a significant discount for those making digital payments. Naturally, you might wonder what exactly these rules are. But now, make sure to check everything before leaving the house, or else consider that a big hole will be made in your pocket. Let's find out exactly what the new toll plaza rules are.
What is the new rule?
The central government has amended the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, and implemented a new rule. According to this rule, if a driver enters a toll plaza without a valid FASTag and pays in cash, they will be charged double the toll fee. However, if the same driver pays via UPI or digitally, they will only have to pay 1.25 times the toll fee. As a result, drivers will now have to pay less through digital payment than in cash.
You can understand this with an example. Suppose the toll for your vehicle is 100 rupees. If your FASTag is working, it will be only ₹100. If your FASTag is not working and you are paying in cash, you will have to pay ₹200. If your FASTag is not working and you are paying using UPI, you will have to pay ₹125. This means that now direct discounts will be available on digital payments, while higher charges will be levied on cash transactions.
Why did the government make this change?
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the purpose of this amendment is to make the toll collection system transparent, reduce cash transactions, and promote digital payments. The ministry states that this decision will not only reduce long queues at toll plazas but also provide travelers with a faster and smoother travel experience.