Government regulations are being strengthened in an attempt to encourage digital payments and reduce the usage of cash at national highway (NH) toll plazas. Vehicles without a valid FASTag will be required to pay a higher toll starting November 15, 2025. The National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, have been amended to incorporate this change.
Vehicles without a FASTag will be charged twice the normal toll if they pay via cash, and 1.25 times the normal toll if they pay through digital mode like the unified payment interface (UPI). In addition to increasing transparency and improving toll collection, the amendment aims to reduce congestion at toll plazas. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the move is a component of the government’s strategy to enhance the overall experience of highway users, decrease traffic in plazas, and increase the efficiency of toll collection.