Toll fee reduced for partially opened expressways

The Centre on Thursday notified an amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 20008, rationalising toll charges for national expressways that are only partially operational

The Centre on Thursday notified an amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 20008, rationalising toll charges for national expressways that are only partially operational.

Toll fee reduced for partially opened expressways

As of now, even on incomplete sections, tolls are levied at a premium rate — 25% higher than standard National Highways — to reflect the access-controlled, faster, and seamless travel experience provided by expressways. However, under the newly notified National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, if an expressway is not fully open end-to-end, the toll fee for the completed and operational stretches will now be charged only at the standard national highway rate, without the expressway premium. This change applies specifically to partially operational expressways and aims to attract more users to these opened sections.

The key objectives of the amendment include promoting increased traffic on the completed portions of expressways; helping decongest parallel existing National Highway routes; enabling faster movement of goods and passengers, and reducing pollution by easing congestion on old national highways, the Union ministry of road transport and highways said in a press statement.

The amendment takes effect from February 15, 2026. It will remain in force for up to one year from the commencement date or until the expressway becomes fully operational, whichever is earlier.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance the efficiency, economy, and user-friendliness of India’s national highways and expressways network, the ministry release stated.