New Delhi, March 31 The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has amended toll regulations, making it mandatory for digital payments at toll plazas from April 1. Highway users will no longer be able to pay tolls in cash.
This move by NHAI will be applicable to all toll plazas across the country.
According to NHAI, starting April 1, passengers will only be able to pay at toll plazas through digital means such as FASTag and UPI.
The aim of this move is to increase efficiency and transparency in toll collection on national highways and expressways.
Officials believe that a fully digital system will help vehicles pass through toll plazas faster, reducing long queues and saving travel time.
With the elimination of cash lanes, officials hope to ensure smoother traffic flow, especially during peak hours.
Faster processing at toll booths is also expected to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.
However, this change may cause inconvenience to some travelers, especially those who are not ready to make digital payments.
Vehicles may be fined or even stopped at toll plazas if they do not have a valid FASTag or sufficient balance.
In such cases, travelers will have the option to make instant payments via UPI by scanning the QR code available at toll booths.
However, officials have warned that these transactions may sometimes be affected due to network issues, leading to delays.
To avoid disruptions, travelers are advised to ensure that their FASTag is active, properly linked to their bank account, and has sufficient balance before starting their journey.
It is also advisable to have a working UPI app on their smartphone as a backup.
This change is a significant step towards India’s digital infrastructure, making highway travel faster, smoother, and more efficient.
