The government has rolled out a major update to national highway toll regulations, introducing a digital enforcement system that includes e-notices for unpaid tolls, a penalty of up to twice the fee and integration with the Vahan database for stricter tracking. The revised framework is now in effect, aiming to improve compliance while streamlining toll collection as the country transitions to barrier-free highways.
- E-notices to be issued for unpaid tolls with trip details
- Users get 72 hours to pay or face up to double charges
- Unpaid dues linked to Vahan may restrict vehicle services
New toll rules: What has changed?
Offers a clear definition of unpaid tolls and how they are tracked
One of the key updates is the formal definition of an ‘unpaid user fee’. This refers to a toll that remains unpaid even though the vehicle has been recorded by an electronic toll collection system. By clearly defining this, the rules provide a structured approach to identify violations and recover outstanding dues.
Building on this, enforcement will now rely less on physical checks at toll plazas as the government plans to transition to barrier-free tolls. Users who skip toll payments due to insufficient balance, technical issues or missing tags will receive an e-notice via SMS, email, mobile apps or a dedicated online portal. These notices will include key details such as the vehicle number, toll crossing location, date and the amount payable, ensuring greater transparency in the process.
Penalty structure and 72-hour relief window
The amended rules also introduce a clear financial penalty for non-payment. If the toll remains unpaid, the amount due may increase to twice the original fee.
However, there is a built-in incentive for quick compliance. Users who pay within 72 hours of receiving the e-notice will only need to pay the original toll amount, avoiding any additional charges.
Dispute resolution and consequences of non-payment
To address potential errors, vehicle owners may challenge an e-notice within 72 hours of issuance. Authorities are required to resolve such complaints within five days; otherwise, the toll claim will be automatically cancelled.
To strengthen enforcement, the toll collection system has been linked with the Vahan database, allowing unpaid dues to be directly tied to vehicle records. If no payment is made for 15 days and no dispute is raised, the amount will be recorded against the vehicle on the Vahan portal, which could restrict access to related services until it is cleared.
Benefits of the new toll rules
Simplified toll payments for users, better enforcement for the government
The revised rules aim to make toll collection simpler, clearer and more digital for everyone. For commuters, e-notices with a 72-hour no-penalty window make it easier to catch and pay missed tolls without hassle. For the government, better digital tracking and integration with the Vahan database should improve compliance and reduce revenue loss, helping highways operate more smoothly.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
