New Delhi: The Centre has announced that cash payments will no longer be accepted at highway toll plazas from April 10, making FASTag or UPI mandatory for all vehicles on national highways.
According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, FASTag will remain the primary mode of payment, while UPI will serve as an alternative for vehicles without FASTag.
For users without either option, a special system will allow payment within 72 hours through online modes to avoid penalties. However, failure to pay within the stipulated time will result in the toll amount being doubled.
Under Rule 14 of the National Highways Fee Rules, vehicles that do not pay toll may be stopped or denied entry at toll lanes.
The move is expected to impact millions of private and commercial vehicle owners, as well as transport companies that still rely on cash transactions. Around 1,150 toll plazas across the country will come under the cashless system.
Officials say the decision aims to ensure smoother traffic flow and reduce congestion at toll points. However, commuters have raised concerns over network issues and technical glitches in FASTag systems that could lead to delays.
