New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced a significant change in toll collection rules that will affect all vehicles traveling on national highways. Starting November 15, 2025, motorists without a valid FASTag will be required to pay double the standard toll fee if they pay in cash. This move is aimed at promoting digital payments and ensuring a smoother, faster toll collection system across the country.
Under the new rules, vehicles without a functional FASTag will not only face higher charges for cash payments but will also incur 1.25 times the toll fee if they pay via UPI or other digital payment methods. For instance, a toll fee of ₹100 will translate to ₹200 in cash or ₹125 if paid digitally. Officials state that this tiered structure is intended to strongly incentivize motorists to adopt FASTag for seamless travel.
The government emphasizes that the primary goal of these amendments is to streamline toll collection and reduce cash handling at highway toll plazas. By encouraging FASTag adoption, authorities hope to cut down long queues and congestion, particularly during peak travel seasons. The digital toll collection system allows for automatic deduction from linked bank accounts, eliminating the need to stop at toll booths and thus saving time and fuel for commuters.
Over the past few years, the government has been actively promoting FASTag as a national initiative to modernize highway infrastructure. Officials remind motorists that a properly affixed and active FASTag not only saves money but also ensures uninterrupted travel. Non-compliance with FASTag rules will result in additional financial penalties, adding urgency for vehicle owners to transition to the electronic toll system.
Experts suggest that motorists regularly check the functionality of their FASTag to avoid last-minute issues. Additionally, using UPI or other digital methods even with FASTag can make travel smoother and may sometimes include cashback offers from banks and payment apps.
As the implementation date approaches, authorities are running awareness campaigns across highways and digital platforms to inform the public about the changes. With the introduction of these measures, India is taking a decisive step towards digital-first infrastructure on its national highways, aligning with the broader vision of a cashless economy and efficient road transport system.