Commuters who do not have a functional FASTag will soon get some relief at toll plazas on National Highways. From November 15, such vehicles will have to pay only 1.25 times the toll fee if they choose to pay digitally via Unified Payment Interface (UPI), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced on Saturday.
The change comes as part of the government’s efforts to promote cashless transactions and ensure smoother toll operations. Under the amended National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, the ministry said vehicles without FASTag will still be charged double the fee if the payment is made in cash.
Digital push for toll payments
“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,” the statement read. For instance, if a vehicle’s toll is Rs 100 through a FASTag, the amount rises to Rs 200 if paid in cash. But if the commuter pays via UPI, the cost will be Rs 125.
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Enhancing transparency and easing travel
Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening the fee collection process, reducing congestion at toll plazas, and improving the overall user experience for highway travellers. “This notification will come into effect from November 15, 2025,” the Ministry said.
The ministry added that the revised rule underlines the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for efficient toll collection and increasing transparency in operations.
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FASTag annual pass introduced earlier
In another step to ease travel, the government had earlier introduced a FASTag-based annual toll pass for private vehicles on Independence Day this year. Priced at Rs 3,000, the pass is valid for either 200 trips or one year–whichever is earlier.
The service is offered at all toll plazas under the Road Transport and Highways Ministry, as well as the National Highways Authority of India. The vehicle label covers cars, jeeps, and vans that are registered only for private use. Once the set limit has been crossed, the FASTag automatically reverts to the normal mode of pay per trip.
