New Fastag Rule: Higher Charges On Cash And UPI Payments At Toll Plazas From November 15 Digital toll payment rules changing nationwide

Business News: The central government has announced a major change in toll collection rules. From November 15, all vehicles running on national highways without a valid FASTag will have to pay extra charges. If drivers pay in cash, they will be charged double the toll fee. If they use UPI or other digital payments, they will pay only 1.25 times the regular fee.

Cash payments to cost more

Currently, vehicles without FASTag must pay double the toll fee in cash. This rule will continue, but the government has now created a small relief for those who use UPI. Digital transactions will be cheaper than cash, although still slightly higher than FASTag. The aim is to encourage drivers to use FASTag and reduce long queues at toll plazas.

UPI payments get special option

The new rule clearly mentions that drivers without FASTag will have two options. If they pay in cash, they pay double the fee. If they use UPI, they pay only 1.25 times. For example, if the toll is ₹100, cash payers will pay ₹200, while UPI payers will pay ₹125. This small difference will motivate drivers to choose digital payments over cash.

Move to promote digital economy

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this step is part of the government’s digital economy mission. FASTag has already made toll collection faster and smoother, but many vehicles still avoid it. The new rule will push people to adopt digital tools and make highway travel more modern. It is also expected to reduce black money in toll operations.

Better transparency and efficiency

Officials have said that cash transactions often cause problems, delays, and even misuse at toll plazas. With UPI and FASTag, every payment is recorded and transparent. This ensures better management of funds and also saves time for drivers. The ministry believes that this step will improve the overall experience for highway users.

Impact on regular travelers

For those who frequently travel on highways, the cost difference will be big. A daily traveler who pays cash will spend double every day, while digital payment will reduce their burden slightly. Experts suggest that drivers should get FASTag immediately because it is still the cheapest and fastest option. Without it, long waits and higher costs are unavoidable.

FASTag remains the cheapest choice

Even after the new rule, FASTag continues to be the most convenient and affordable method. There are no extra charges, and vehicles pass through toll plazas smoothly. The government has also reminded that FASTag can be easily recharged online and linked to any bank account. For the public, FASTag not only saves money but also saves precious time.