Infrastructure
FASTag lanes at a toll plaza.
In a move to promote digital transactions and curb cash payments at toll plazas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
Under the new provisions, vehicles entering a toll plaza without a valid or functional FASTag will now face differentiated charges based on their mode of payment.
Those paying in cash will be required to pay twice the applicable user fee, while those opting for Unified Payment Interface (UPI) will be charged 1.25 times the regular toll amount.
For instance, a vehicle with a standard toll fee of Rs 100 via FASTag will pay Rs 200 if the payment is made in cash, and Rs 125 if paid digitally through UPI.
In a statement, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that this initiative reflects the government's commitment to leveraging technology for efficient toll collection and reducing congestion at the toll plazas.
The revised rules will encourage the adoption of digital payments, enhance transparency in toll operations, and improve the overall user experience on National Highways, it added.