What is the 72-Hour E-Notice System?
The 72-hour e-notice is a digital alert sent to vehicle owners who cross a toll plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur highway without paying the required fee. This system is part of a larger move by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) towards barrier-free
tolling, which uses technology to make travel smoother. Instead of physical barriers, Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) gantries with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and FASTag readers identify vehicles. If a toll is not paid—due to an insufficient FASTag balance, an invalid tag, or other technical issues—the system automatically flags the vehicle and issues an electronic notice. This notice gives the driver a three-day window to settle the payment without any immediate penalty.
How the New System Works
When a vehicle passes through a barrier-free toll point like those at Shahjahanpur, Manoharpura, or Daulatpura without a successful transaction, the ANPR cameras capture the license plate. This information is cross-referenced, and an e-notice is generated. The notice, containing details like the vehicle number, toll location, date, and the amount due, is sent to the registered owner via SMS, email, or through mobile apps like Rajmargyatra. Commuters can also check for any pending notices on the official government portal: nhfeenotice.parivahan.gov.in. The 72-hour clock starts from the moment the e-notice is issued, not from the time of travel.
Pay Within 72 Hours to Avoid Penalties
The key to this new system is the 72-hour grace period. If you receive an e-notice, you can pay the original toll amount without any fine within this window. This provides a fair chance to correct accidental non-payments, such as when a FASTag balance runs out unexpectedly. However, failing to pay within 72 hours has consequences. After the grace period expires, the toll amount doubles. For example, if the original toll was ₹150, it would become ₹300 after 72 hours of non-payment. This punitive measure is designed to encourage prompt compliance and ensure the financial viability of the highway infrastructure.
What If You Disagree With the Notice?
The system also includes a grievance redressal mechanism. If you believe an e-notice was issued in error—perhaps you were not on that route or your FASTag was already debited—you can challenge it. Vehicle owners have the same 72-hour window from the issuance of the notice to file a dispute through the official portal. Authorities are required to investigate and resolve the complaint within five days. If they fail to provide a decision in that timeframe, the toll claim is automatically cancelled, ensuring that motorists are protected from potential system errors or wrongful charges.
Long-Term Consequences of Non-Compliance
Ignoring these e-notices can lead to more serious issues beyond a doubled toll fee. The electronic toll collection system is integrated with the central Vahan database, which holds all vehicle registration records in India. If an unpaid toll (and its associated penalty) remains unsettled for more than 15 days without a dispute being raised, the outstanding amount will be recorded against the vehicle in the Vahan system. This can lead to restrictions on vehicle-related services, such as renewing your registration, transferring ownership, or obtaining fitness certificates, until the dues are cleared. In some cases, the FASTag itself may also be blacklisted.
