New Delhi, February 13, 2026 – Commuters on national highways will soon pay lower toll fees on partially operational expressway stretches, following an amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced that when an expressway is not fully open end-to-end, tolls for the completed sections will be charged at the standard National Highway rate — significantly lower than expressway tariffs.
The new rules take effect from February 15, 2026.
This change aims to encourage greater use of available expressway portions, ease congestion on parallel older highways, speed up travel for passengers and goods, and cut pollution from traffic jams.
The ministry described the move as direct relief for highway users while supporting efficient infrastructure utilization during phased project completions.
Several major expressways across India are currently operational in sections, and motorists on these routes stand to benefit immediately from the reduced fees.
The amendment reflects the government’s focus on balancing infrastructure development with commuter convenience and environmental goals.
