Starting November 15, 2025, commuters without a valid or functional FASTag will have to pay 1.25 times the toll fee if they use UPI at National Highway toll plazas, according to a new announcement by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
This means drivers can now avoid the steep double toll charge by opting for digital payments instead of cash.
Why This Change Matters
The government has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 to promote cashless transactions and improve transparency at toll booths.
Currently, vehicles entering toll plazas without a working FASTag are charged twice the normal fee if they pay in cash.
But under the new rule, those who choose to pay digitally through UPI will only be charged 1.25 times the regular toll.
For example, if the toll is ₹100:
Paying with FASTag: ₹100
Paying in cash: ₹200
Paying via UPI: ₹125
The move is aimed at reducing congestion, speeding up toll collection, and encouraging digital payments across India’s highways.
Push for Digital India on Highways
The new rule is part of the government’s larger effort to leverage technology for smoother travel.
Earlier this year, on Independence Day, a FASTag-based annual toll pass was introduced for private vehicles.
The annual pass, priced at ₹3,000, is valid for 200 toll trips or one year, whichever comes first.
It applies to cars, jeeps, and vans registered for personal use and automatically switches to a pay-per-trip mode once the limit is reached.
With these initiatives, the government aims to make India’s toll system more efficient, transparent, and commuter-friendly, bringing highway travel closer to a seamless digital experience.
In short:
If your FASTag isn’t working, it’s time to fix it — or be ready to pay extra at the toll.
But at least now, UPI payments will cost less than cash and keep you moving faster.
