NHAI to Cut Toll Charges on Under-Construction Expressway Stretches Starting Feb 15

National Expressways users will see lower tolls on incomplete corridors from February 15, 2026, after a change to fee rules. The Government of India has revised how charges apply when only part of an access-controlled expressway is open. The move targets commuters and freight operators using parallel National Highways.

Right now, toll on National Expressways is set 25% higher than on standard National Highways. This higher rate reflects access control, fewer intersections and a smoother, faster driving experience. However, the 25% premium has been charged even when only some sections were operational, leading to complaints from regular highway users.

National Expressways toll rules and National Highways Fee changes

Under the amended framework, users will pay only the lower National Highway rate on any expressway that is not yet open from end to end. The 25% National Expressways toll premium will apply only after traffic can move across the full corridor. The government expects this to draw vehicles away from crowded parallel National Highways, ease congestion and cut pollution from traffic jams.

The change forms part of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, through a specific update titled the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The amended National Expressways toll regime will stay in place for up to one year from February 15, 2026, or until each affected expressway becomes fully operational, whichever comes first.

The government links the National Expressways toll revision with goals of quicker passenger movement, more efficient logistics and lower emissions. By making partially completed expressways cheaper, authorities hope to shift more traffic away from busy National Highways. The notification was published on February 12, 2026, at 6:26 PM IST, marking a clear timeline for highway users.