The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to make a major change regarding cash transactions at toll plazas across the country. Cash payment on National Highways will be completely stopped from April 1, 2026. Now only FASTag and UPI will be available to pay toll tax. This decision has been taken to eliminate long queues at toll points and to make travel easier. If you do not have FASTag on your vehicle, now you may have to spend more money.
Heavy fine will be imposed on giving cash without FASTag
According to the new rules of NHAI, 100% digital payment system is now being implemented at toll plazas. Those vehicles which do not have FASTag or whose tag is not working, will have to pay double (2x) the normal fee for paying in cash.
Not only this, if a passenger wants to pay through UPI instead of FASTag, he will also not get relief. Even after paying through UPI, you will have to pay 1.25 times the normal fee. This rule will be applicable to about 1,150 toll plazas across the country. The administration says that people should get FASTag installed in their vehicles in time so that they do not have to pay extra charges.
How will the common man get the benefit of this change?
The government believes that due to cash transactions at toll plazas, problems of change and long queues are often seen. According to statistics, currently more than 98% of the vehicles in the country are using FASTag, which has made it easier to implement the cashless system.
With the removal of cash counters, vehicles will be able to pass faster without stopping, which will reduce travel time and also save petrol and diesel. NHAI confirmed this on February 20 and said that this will bring transparency in the toll system and people will not have to get stuck in jams. Also, FASTag’s annual pass of Rs 3,000 is also becoming very popular among the people, which provides relief from the hassle of repeated payments.