New Delhi. There is going to be a big change for the passengers traveling on National Highways across the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering stopping cash payments at all toll plazas from April 1, 2026. After its implementation, toll fee will be collected only through digital means like FASTag and UPI.
Increasing trend of digital tolling
According to NHAI, in the last few years Fastag has been used in more than 98 percent of vehicles. This has made toll collection fast, transparent and convenient. Most toll transactions are now being done electronically with RFID-enabled FASTag, enabling contactless and faster travel. Along with this, the facility of payment through UPI is also available at toll plazas across the country.
Additional charges on cash payment
As per National Highway rules, double the cash fee is charged for paying toll without Fastag or digital payment. On payment through UPI, 1.25 times the prescribed fee for the respective vehicle category has to be paid.
Benefits and objectives
NHAI says cash payments lead to long queues during peak hours, increased waiting times and disputes. Implementation of full digital payments at over 1150 toll centers will increase efficiency of toll lanes, reduce congestion, ensure transparency and consistency in transactions and improve traffic management and time savings. This initiative is part of NHAI’s broader goal of creating a high-efficiency, technology-based and user-friendly National Highway Network to make commuting across the country smooth and seamless.