Toll plaza payment rules will change from April 1st, and arbitrary payment methods will no longer be tolerated.

Toll plaza payment rules will change from April 1st, and arbitrary payment methods will no longer be tolerated. Newspoint | 21/02/2026 19:39:54

New Toll Payment Rules: The Ministry of Road Transport is preparing to completely eliminate cash payments at national highway tolls from April 1st, 2026. Payments will now be made only through FASTag and UPI. This historic move aims to make travel faster, transparent, and completely cashless.

New Toll Payment Rules: This is significant news for those traveling on national highways. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is planning to completely eliminate cash transactions at toll plazas from April 1st, 2026. According to indications from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), toll tax payments after this date will only be possible through digital means such as FASTag and UPI.

Cash lanes will no longer be available at toll plazas.

This government move marks a revolutionary shift towards making the country's toll system 100% digital. The primary objective of promoting Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is to eliminate long queues at toll booths and bring transparency to the system. Passengers will no longer need to carry cash, making travel faster.

FASTag Success: 98% of Vehicles Digital

According to NHAI data, FASTag usage in India has surpassed 98%. FASTag is a sticker affixed to a vehicle's windshield that connects to a sensor via radio frequency (RFID). As soon as a vehicle passes through a toll, the money is automatically deducted from the bank account, eliminating the need for the vehicle to stop.

UPI Also a Strong Alternative

If FASTag fails due to technical issues, the government has made payment available through UPI. However, to maintain digital discipline, there are certain conditions in the rules. Currently, if someone pays in cash despite having an active FASTag, they are charged double (2x) the toll. Payments made through UPI are subject to a fee of 1.25 times the applicable tax.

A Step Towards a Cashless India

With the complete elimination of cash from April 1, 2026, all national highway toll plazas in India will be completely digital. This will not only save fuel but also eliminate the potential for human error and delays in toll collection.