No More Cash at Highway Tolls from April 10, Digital Payments Made Mandatory

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced that cash payments will no longer be accepted at toll plazas across national highways starting April 10. The decision, implemented by the National Highways Authority of India, is part of a wider push to digitise toll collection and reduce congestion on roads.

Under the new system, all vehicles will be required to use FASTag for seamless payments. Motorists who do not have FASTag will still be allowed to pay via UPI, but they will be charged an additional 25 percent over the regular toll fee.

For example, if the standard toll charge is ₹100, those opting to pay through UPI without FASTag will need to pay ₹125. The move aims to encourage wider adoption of FASTag and ensure quicker movement at toll booths.

Authorities have made it clear that vehicles refusing to pay through either FASTag or UPI will not be allowed to pass through toll plazas. Such cases will attract action under National Highway rules, including issuance of an electronic notice. If the dues are not cleared within three days, the penalty amount may be doubled.

The new guidelines also affect local residents and exempted categories. Instead of showing identity cards at toll booths, they will now be required to obtain a special exempted FASTag or apply for an annual pass through an online system.

With the deadline approaching, commuters are advised to complete their FASTag KYC and maintain sufficient balance to avoid inconvenience. Officials also indicated that a GPS based toll collection system may soon be tested as part of future upgrades in the country’s highway infrastructure.