Fastags (X)
No More Double Toll Penalty: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has provided significant relief to motorists across the country. The ministry issued a notification on Friday, amending the rules related to toll tax payments. Now, if a vehicle lacks a Fastag or lacks sufficient balance, drivers can pay the toll fee through UPI. In this case, they will have to pay 1.25 times the total amount. This new system will be implemented from November 15, 2025.
Previously, if a vehicle lacked a Fastag or ran out of balance, the toll fee was doubled at toll plazas. The ministry has amended this rule and simplified it for the benefit of motorists. Now, instead of double, they will have to pay only 1.25 times the toll fee. This move is in line with the government's efforts to promote digital transactions.
Under the new rule, if a vehicle's FASTag is inactive or cannot be scanned, the driver will be able to make payments directly using UPI. This payment can be made through the digital scanner or QR code available at the toll plaza. Paying tolls using UPI will save time and eliminate the need for cash transactions.
The notification issued by the Ministry also states that if a technical glitch occurs in the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system and the vehicle's FASTag cannot be scanned, no fee will be charged. The driver will be allowed to cross the toll. This will eliminate unnecessary arguments and delays at toll booths.
FASTag implementation has significantly reduced the average waiting time at toll plazas across the country. According to Ministry data, FASTag penetration had reached approximately 98 percent of vehicles by 2022. Due to this, the average dwell time for vehicles at toll plazas has reduced to 47 seconds. The new system is expected to further reduce this time.
According to the Union Ministry, cash payments result in losses of approximately ₹10,000 crore annually. Problems such as fraud, lack of transparency, and delays are the main reasons for this. The Ministry believes that the introduction of the UPI payment system will significantly curb these irregularities.
This rule will be especially beneficial for drivers who travel frequently and sometimes forget to check their FASTag balance. Now, they will no longer have to pay double the amount in such cases. By paying through UPI, they will be able to cross the toll by paying only one and a quarter times the amount.
Union Road Transport Ministry officials say that the government's objective is to make toll payments completely digital and transparent. Adding a secure and fast payment method like UPI will reduce traffic congestion at toll plazas across the country and save time for commuters.
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