NHAI mulls no cast-payment on toll plazas from April 1:Payment may be only through FASTag or UPI

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to make the country’s toll plazas completely digital. From April 1, 2026, cash transactions may be completely stopped at all toll plazas on National Highways. After this, toll payment will only be possible through digital means like FASTag or UPI. NHAI’s objective is to make toll operations more transparent and accurate. Currently, electronic toll collection system is implemented at more than 1,150 toll plazas across the country. Decision taken to reduce crowds at toll plaza
According to NHAI, traffic jams often occur at toll plazas due to cash payments. Especially during peak hours, cash transactions cause long queues of vehicles and there are also disputes regarding change money. These problems will be eliminated when digital payment becomes fully mandatory. 98% vehicles already have FASTag installed
The use of FASTag has increased rapidly in the country. According to statistics, currently more than 98% of vehicles have FASTag installed. As per National Highway toll rules, if a vehicle enters the FASTag lane at a toll plaza without an active FASTag and pays in cash, they are charged double the toll amount. Similarly, if a user pays through UPI, they have to pay 1.25 times the applicable toll rate.
System will change at more than 1,150 toll plazas
This NHAI initiative will be implemented at more than 1,150 toll plazas and expressways across the country. The authority believes that fully digital transactions will make data management easier and prevent revenue leakage. This initiative is part of the government’s larger objective of making the National Highway network highly efficient by integrating it with technology.