Not good for those who are overloading on the highway! A major decision by the central government; These new rules will come into effect from April 15

• Not good for those who are overloading on the highway!
• Big decision of Central Govt
• These new rules will come into effect from April 15

over capacity on National Highways Drivers carrying heavy goods will now face a heavy financial hit. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced new regulations regarding toll charges for overloaded vehicles. These changes have been made under the ‘National Highway Charges (Fixation and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026’ and will come into effect from tomorrow i.e. 15th April 2026.

As per the new rules, the penalty will be:

The government has now fixed the levy of penalty based on the percentage of overloading. Its format will be as follows:

• Overload up to 10 percent: If the vehicle has an excess weight of up to 10 percent over the prescribed capacity, no additional charges will be levied.
• Overload from 10 to 40 percent: Such vehicles will be charged twice the Base Rate.
• Overload of more than 40 percent: Such vehicles will have to pay a penalty of up to four times the original toll rate.

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The weight will be calculated at the toll booth itself

Overloading will be checked with the help of standardized weighing machines installed at toll plazas on highways. Notably, this additional penalty will not be levied at toll booths where there is no weighing facility. Modern ‘The ‘weigh-in-motion’ (WIM) technology will enable the vehicle to be weighed while it is in motion, saving time and bringing transparency to the process.

Addition of FASTag and ‘Vehicle’ portal

Overloading penalty will be deducted only through FASTag. Also, complete details of vehicles violating the rules will be recorded in the ‘National Vehicle Register’ (Vahan). Vehicles that do not have a valid FASTag will be subject to strict action as per the existing rules.

Steps taken for highway safety

The main objective of these new rules is to prevent road deterioration and reduce road accidents. Overloading causes extensive damage to highway infrastructure. The government is confident that the new rules will make cargo transportation more disciplined and safer. For some ongoing private projects, these rules will be applicable only after the consent of the concerned companies.

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