New Toll Rules: Missed Paying At Toll Plaza? You Now Have To Pay Double Charges; Check Guidelines

New Toll Rules: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced a new system to help resolve unpaid toll fees and make the entire tolling process more efficient and user-friendly. The goal is to roll out a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system, which removes the need for boom barriers and lets vehicles pass through toll gates at high speeds without stopping.

Toll fees will be automatically collected through advanced technologies like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that detect your FASTag and vehicle registration number.

What’s Changing?

The new rules specifically target cases where commuters pass toll gates without paying, often due to issues like faulty FASTags or insufficient balance.

Under the updated National Highway Fee guidelines, if you don't pay the toll right away, you’ll be charged double the original amount. However, if you make the payment within 72 hours of passing through the toll, you’ll only pay the standard fee. These new rules came into effect on March 17. This change will strengthen the digital enforcement of toll payments, ensuring that the toll collection process runs smoothly on highways.

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What Happens If You Don’t Pay 'Unpaid Fee'?

An "unpaid user fee" refers to any toll that’s been recorded but hasn’t been paid. If this happens, you’ll receive an electronic notice (e-notice) with details about your vehicle, the date and location of the toll, and the unpaid amount. This e-notice will be sent via SMS, email, mobile apps, or other electronic methods. You’ll also be able to view it on a dedicated online portal. From the moment you receive the e-notice, you have 72 hours to make the payment.

Additionally, the new rules facilitate the integration of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) system with the National Vehicle Registry (VAHAN), enabling better enforcement and recovery of unpaid user fees.

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If a vehicle owner or driver disagrees with the e-notice, the new rules establish a grievance redressal mechanism. The vehicle owner/driver can submit a challenge via the designated portal within 72 hours of receiving the e-notice.

The tolling agency will review the challenge and resolve the case within five days. If the issue is not resolved within five days, the claim for the unpaid user fee will expire.

What Happens If You Still Don’t Pay?

If the fee remains unpaid 15 days after the e-notice (or after challenging the notice), the unpaid amount will be posted on the VAHAN system. If the fee remains unpaid 15 days after the e-notice (or after challenging the notice), the unpaid amount will be posted on the VAHAN system. At this point, certain vehicle-related services may be restricted until the fee is paid.