Non-FASTag users to pay more in cash, less via UPI

Vehicles without functional FASTags will be charged only 1.25 times of the applicable user fee if they pay by Unified Payment Interface (UPI) against twice the fee if cash is used in the transaction.The decision incentivises digital payments and is aimed at minimising cash transactions at the user fee plazas on the national highways. As per the amended National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, vehicles entering a fee plaza without a valid, functional FASTag will be charged only 1.25 times the applicable user fee for that category of the vehicle if they opt to pay via the UPI, the ministry of road transport and highways said on Saturday. This will be effective from November 15. "This amendment aims to strengthen the fee collection process, enhance transparency in toll collection and promote ease of commuting for the national highway users," it said.