NEW DELHI: According to a government announcement, if you fail to pay the user fee within 72 hours due to a malfunctioning FASTag or a low balance in the tag while crossing a barrier-less plaza on the NH network, you will be charged twice. Similarly, the claim for the unpaid user fee will immediately expire if the tolling agency does not review and resolve any complaints within five days.
The National Highways Fee Rules have been modified to hold tolling companies responsible and prevent users from getting away with not paying the user fee.
In order to improve digital enforcement of toll collecting, especially in the context of developing barrier-free tolling systems, the changes offer a structured recovery mechanism in cases of “unpaid user fee.” The regulations went into force on Tuesday. The toll applicable to a vehicle whose passage has been recorded by Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) infrastructure but where the corresponding user charge has not been received is referred to as the “unpaid user fee” under the revised Rules.
The change in regulations was initially reported by TOI on March 7, just before barrier-less tolling on NHs was introduced.
In accordance with the new regulations, registered vehicle owners will get an electronic notice (e-notice) for “unpaid user fee” that includes information about the vehicle, the date and location of passage, and the amount owed. The notifications will be distributed via mobile applications, email, SMS, and a specified portal.
In order to facilitate easy vehicle identification and the enforcement of unpaid fees, the regulations also call for the integration of the national electronic toll collecting system with the VAHAN database.
The amendment states that the unpaid user fee that must be paid in response to an e-notice will be double the relevant toll amount. To promote prompt compliance, however, only the initial user fee will be charged if the payment is made within 72 hours of the e-notice’s issue.
Additionally, a grievance redressal provision has been provided. Within 72 hours of the e-notice’s issuance, any motorist or vehicle owner who feels wronged may file a representation using the specified portal. Agencies will have five days to review and dispose of it; if they don’t, the unpaid user fee claim will expire.The sum will be logged in the VAHAN system and suitable limitations on vehicle-related services may be put in place until the unpaid user charge is settled if it is not paid within 15 days and no representation is pending, the ministry stated.
The restrictions on vehicle-related services include transfer and renewal of RC.
FAQs
Q1. What happens if I don’t pay the toll due to FASTag issues?
If your FASTag has a low balance or is malfunctioning and you fail to pay the toll within 72 hours, you will be charged double the toll amount.
Q2. What is an “unpaid user fee” under the new rules?
An “unpaid user fee” refers to toll charges that were recorded by the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system but were not successfully paid by the vehicle owner.
Q3. Will I receive a notification for unpaid toll charges?
Yes, an e-notice will be sent to registered vehicle owners via SMS, email, mobile apps, or a designated portal with details like vehicle number, toll location, date, and pending amount.
Q4. Can I avoid paying double toll charges?
Yes, if you pay the pending toll within 72 hours of receiving the e-notice, you only need to pay the original toll amount—not double.
Q5. What should I do if I receive a wrong toll charge notice?
You can file a complaint (representation) within 72 hours through the official portal if you believe the charge is incorrect.
Q6. What is the timeline for resolving toll-related complaints?
Tolling agencies must resolve complaints within 5 days. If they fail to do so, the unpaid toll claim will automatically expire.
Q7. What happens if I don’t pay the unpaid toll fee?
If the payment is not made within 15 days and no complaint is pending, the amount will be recorded in the VAHAN database, and restrictions may be applied.
Q8. What kind of restrictions can be imposed for unpaid toll fees?
Vehicle-related services like RC transfer and renewal may be restricted until the pending toll amount is cleared.
Q9. Why were these new toll rules introduced?
The rules aim to strengthen digital toll collection, ensure compliance, and support the implementation of barrier-less tolling systems on national highways.
