One Year, Many Journeys Made Easier: How MoRTH Toll Policies Are Redefining the Highway Experience

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), along with NHAI, has worked diligently on practical solutions designed to reduce commuters’ genuine concerns.

1. FASTag Annual Pass
- Launched 15 August 2025.
- ₹3,000 for 200 toll trips or one year of travel (whichever comes first).
- Valid across 1,159 toll plazas nationwide.
- Benefits:
-- Predictable monthly expenses.
-- Reduced daily costs (e.g., commuters saving up to 70%).
-- Faster passage through toll plazas.
- Adoption: 40 lakh passes sold, covering nearly 20% of car users.

2. Encouraging Digital Payments
- Earlier: 2x charge for non-FASTag payments.
- Now: Relaxed to 1.25x for UPI payments.
- Impact:
-- Over 15 lakh UPI transactions (₹19.44 crore) recorded in less than a month.
-- Cash collection dropped by 25%, reducing congestion.
-- 98% vehicles already use FASTag, gap closing via incentives.

3. Barrier-Free Tolling (MLFF System)
- Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling awarded for Choryasi Fee Plaza (NH-48, Gujarat).
- Scheduled operational in 2026.
- 5 more barrier-free tolling projects awarded.
- Vehicles will pass at highway speed, with automatic toll deduction—no barriers, no queues.

4. Fairness During Construction
- New rule: 50% toll charges during highway upgrades (e.g., 2 lanes → 4/6 lanes).
- Example: If toll is ₹50, commuters pay only ₹25 until work is complete.
- Ensures transparency and fairness for road users.

5. Strengthening FASTag Ecosystem
- One Vehicle, One FASTag to prevent misuse.
- FASTag issuance linked with VAHAN database to stop fraud.
- Double fee for loose FASTags to streamline operations.
- Multiple grievance channels: 1033 helpline, email, bank helplines, RajmargYatra App.

Impact on Highway Experience
- Shorter queues and smoother rides.
- Predictable travel costs for commuters.
- Transparency and accountability during construction.
- A shift toward digital-first, barrier-free highways.
- Everyday convenience for millions of Indians, showing how policy + technology + empathy can redefine road travel.

📌 In essence, MoRTH’s toll reforms are quietly transforming India’s highways—making them faster, fairer, and more commuter-friendly.