On January 20, 2026, the Government of India notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, to enforce toll compliance by linking unpaid fees to essential vehicle services.
Under these rules, motorists with outstanding dues recorded by electronic systems will be denied No Objection Certificates (NOC) for sales and inter-state transfers, fitness certificate renewals, and National Permits for commercial vehicles.
Finalised after public consultations that began in July 2025, the measure prepares the nation for the nationwide launch of barrier-less, satellite-based tolling scheduled to begin in mid-2026.
Barrier-less Travel
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced these amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to address the enforcement challenges of the upcoming Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system.
This technology, already being piloted on major stretches like the Delhi-Jaipur and Delhi-Chandigarh highways, uses high-speed ANPR cameras and RFID readers to charge vehicles without requiring them to stop at physical barriers.
“These amendments will help NHAI in fostering transparent and technology-driven tolling systems for sustained development,” the Ministry stated. By legally defining an “unpaid user fee” as any toll recorded but not settled, the state can now automatically block transactions on the VAHAN portal for non-compliant vehicles.
Digital Enforcement
The new regulations mandate changes to Form 28, requiring vehicle owners to declare any pending toll demands before obtaining an NOC. For the transport sector, the stakes are high as National Permits, vital for long-haul logistics, will now be contingent on a clean toll record.
Addressing concerns about potential FASTag glitches, a Ministry official noted, “A dedicated portal will soon be launched where motorists can raise complaints and resolve disputes before any blocking action is initiated.”
This safety net aims to prevent honest citizens from being unfairly penalised by technical errors while ensuring the highway network remains financially sustainable.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that world-class infrastructure relies on the collective responsibility of all citizens. While the shift toward barrier-less highways is a commendable leap for efficiency and fuel saving, the decision to link essential documentation to digital dues must be handled with deep empathy.
For a society to truly harmonise, the state must ensure that its automated systems are beyond reproach. We encourage the government to make the grievance-redressal process as seamless as the tolling itself, ensuring that no individual’s livelihood or property rights are stalled by a “system error.”
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