Government Amends National Highways Toll Rules, Lower Fees for Partially Open Expressways

The Government of India has notified amendments to the National Highways Fee Determination of Rates and Collection Rules, 2008. Under the revised provisions, when a national expressway is not fully operational end to end, toll will be charged only for the completed stretch and at a lower rate applicable to national highways.

The amended rules will come into effect from 15 February 2026 and are expected to provide relief to road users while ensuring fair toll collection during phased opening of expressway projects.

Presently, user fee on National Expressways is charged 25% more than normal National Highways user fee for the completed length as they provide access-controlled, faster and seamless travel experience which provides comfortable travel to commuters. This fee is levied for the completed section even if the Expressway is not fully open along its entire length end to end.

Under the new provision, when a National Expressway is not opened end to end, the toll fee will be charged for the completed length at a lower rate as applicable for the National Highway Section under National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The amendment is aimed at promoting use of the National Expressways to encourage users to travel through the opened stretches that will help in decongesting the existing National Highway routes parallel to the Expressways, enabling faster movement of logistics and passengers as well as reduction in pollution due to traffic congestion on old National Highways.

The amended rules, titled the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, will come into effect from 15th February 2026. The rule will be valid for up to one year from the date the amendment comes into force, or until the Expressway becomes fully operational, whichever is earlier.

This amendment is another Government of India initiative to make journeys more seamless and economical for the users of National Highways and Expressways.