The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday announced significant changes in the National Highway Fee Rules.
What is the new rule
The new rules, known as the “National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024”, implement a zero fee policy for the first 20 km of travel on national highways. That is, you will not have to pay any toll for a journey of 20 km.
This provision will apply only to vehicles equipped with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) onboard unit.
As per the latest amendment, vehicles other than those with a national permit will not have to pay any fee for the first 20 km of travel on a national highway, permanent bridge, bypass, or tunnel.
Toll will be charged only if the distance covered is more than 20 km.
If a distance of more than 20 km is covered in a day, users will have to pay a toll only on the actual travel distance of more than 20 km.
The change is aimed at reducing the financial burden on drivers for short trips while maintaining a fair fee structure for longer trips. It will help the customer very much
The order has been issued by the ministry said, “Under the Global Navigation Satellite System based user toll fee collection system, the driver, owner or person in any charge of a motor vehicle or other than a national permit vehicle using the same main section shall be charged zero fees for a distance of to the 20 km travelled in one direction.
If the distance exceeds 20 km, the fee shall be charged only on the actual distance travelled.”
Earlier, in July, the road ministry had announced the implementation on a pilot basis of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based toll collection system on select national highways as an additional feature along with FASTag.