Transition to Cashless Toll Payments on National Highways
End of Cash Transactions at Toll Plazas
A file image of a toll plaza. (Picture used for representational purpose only)
New Delhi, April 8: Starting April 10, cash payments will no longer be accepted at toll plazas on national highways.
According to a notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, if a vehicle enters a toll plaza without a valid FASTag, users can still make payments using the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), but they will incur a surcharge of 1.25 times the standard toll fee.
An official from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) stated that this initiative aims to alleviate congestion at toll booths and enhance the overall travel experience for highway users.
From April 10, FASTag will be the primary method for toll collection, while UPI will act as a backup for those without a valid FASTag.
If a vehicle enters a toll plaza without a valid FASTag and chooses to pay via UPI, the user will be charged 1.25 times the applicable fee for their vehicle category, as outlined in the regulations.
Should the vehicle owner or driver choose not to pay as specified, the vehicle will be subject to penalties as per Rule 14.
Recently, NHAI reported surpassing 5 million subscribers for its FASTag annual pass, which allows for up to 200 toll crossings for a fee of Rs 3,000 annually.
Since its introduction on August 15, there have been approximately 26.55 crore transactions processed through these passes.
Currently, there are over 1,150 toll plazas located across various National Highways and Expressways in India.