No FASTag? Pay Double in Cash at Toll Plazas!

In a bid to encourage digital payments, a new rule has been introduced for user fee collection at toll plazas. From November 15, vehicles entering a toll fee plaza without a valid, functional #FASTag will have to pay double the toll fee if they choose to pay in cash, while motorists opting for UPI payments will be charged 1.25 times the regular user fee.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, introducing different charges for non-FASTag users based on the mode of payment. The move aims to promote digital transactions.

“In a significant step to incentivize digital payments and eliminate cash transactions at user fee plazas on National Highways for non-FASTag users, the Government of India has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. Under the new rule, vehicles entering a fee plaza without a valid, functional FASTag will be charged twice the applicable user fee if the payment is made in cash,” said a statement issued by the ministry on Saturday.

Users opting to pay the fee via through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), will be charged only 1.25 times the applicable user fee, based on their vehicle category. If a vehicle user needs to pay a user fee of Rs 100 through a valid FASTag, the fee will be Rs 200 if paid in cash while those using UPI, can pay just Rs 125. The UPI transactions are being encouraged to strengthen the fee collection process, enhance transparency in toll collection, and promote ease of commuting for NH users.

This move comes after the success of FASTag, which has already automated toll collection across most NHs, reducing the waiting time and congestion. Officials said that the option to pay through UPI will offer a convenient alternative for occasional users who may not have a FASTag or face temporary technical issues with their tags.

According to the official statistics, over eight crore users, which accounts to nearly 98 per cent of motorists FASTag has revolutionized the Electronic Toll Collection system in the nation. Also, the FASTag Annual Pass eliminates the need for frequent recharges through a one-time fee payment of Rs 3,000 for one-year validity or 200 toll plaza crossings.

Currently, user fees are collected for nearly 45,000 km of National Highways and Expressways. There are about 1,200 toll plazas, maintained either by the NHAI or concessionaries.