Pay 2X charges if you miss this payment window on barrier-less tolls

The National Highways Authority of India has issued a warning for motorists using barrier-less toll roads. Manoharpur in Rajasthan and Hyderabad in Telangana are among the first places in India to go live with barrier-less tolling on national highways. This new system allows vehicles to pass without stopping at toll plazas. Under the new system, missing a toll payment can end up costing double if not cleared within a fixed time window.

Barrier-less toll: How does it work

It uses LiDAR technology to detect and identify vehicles in real time as they move under the toll gantry. As a vehicle passes, the system tracks it, reads the number plate using cameras, and identifies the type of vehicle based on its size and axle count. It then links this data with FASTag to process the toll payment automatically. The aim is simple. No stopping, less traffic and faster highway travel.

Why might you have to pay double charges

Problems arise when the toll payment does not go through. This could happen due to low FASTag balance, inactive tags, or issues in detection. In such cases, the system still records the vehicle’s passage and generates an electronic notice, commonly referred to as an e-Notice. This is sent to the vehicle owner based on registration details and acts as a reminder to clear the pending toll.

The key rule to remember is the 72-hour window. If the pending toll is paid within 72 hours of receiving the e-Notice, the user only pays the original amount. However, if the deadline is missed, the payable amount automatically doubles. In simple terms, delay beyond this window means paying twice the toll.

To check and settle these dues, motorists can log in to the official portal managed by the National Informatics Centre using their vehicle registration number. Authorities have also advised users to rely only on the official portal to avoid fraud.

There is also a provision to raise disputes. If a user believes an e-Notice has been issued incorrectly, a grievance can be filed within the same 72-hour window. Failing to act within this period may still lead to the penalty being applied.