Good news for those who still pay cash at highway tolls! The government has announced that non-FASTag users on national highways will soon receive a welcome discount if they choose to pay using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). While it won’t be as cheap as a FASTag, it’s a significant improvement over current cash rates.
Previously, drivers without a FASTag paying cash were typically charged double the standard toll. However, under the recently amended National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, non-FASTag users opting for UPI will now only pay 1.25 times the regular user fee for their vehicle category. This beneficial change is set to kick in from November 15, 2025.
A senior official from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) explained that this initiative is particularly aimed at private car owners who either don’t possess a FASTag or occasionally forget to keep it recharged. It’s a win-win situation, as the NHAI also stands to gain by reducing the costs associated with handling cash and minimizing revenue leakages. Despite 98% of toll transactions currently being made through FASTag, a small but notable 2% still involves cash payments.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways emphasized that these updated rules are designed to boost the adoption of digital payments, enhance transparency in toll operations, and ultimately improve the overall travel experience on India’s National Highways.