The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a major change for highway travel.
Starting April 10, cash payments at toll booths will be completely stopped.
All payments will now be digital only across national highways and expressways.
This means tools like FASTag and UPI will become essential for every driver.
Why the Government Is Making This Change
The goal is to make toll collection faster and smoother.
Cash payments often cause:
Long queues
Delays at toll plazas
Manual errors
By switching fully to digital payments, the government aims to reduce congestion and save time for commuters.
This move also builds on the success of FASTag, which has already made toll payments quicker over the past few years.
What Happens If You Don’t Have FASTag?
If you don’t have a FASTag, you can still pay using digital methods like UPI—but there’s a catch.
You will be charged 1.25 times the normal toll fee
Refusing to pay digitally may lead to entry denial or removal from the lane
If payment is not completed within 3 days, the fine can go up to double the toll amount
In short, not going digital will cost you more.
New Rules for Toll Exemptions
The updated rules also tighten how toll exemptions work.
Earlier, some individuals misused government IDs to avoid paying tolls—even during personal travel.
Now:
Exemptions apply only to official vehicles or authorised use
Eligible users must get Exempted FASTags
This change will help reduce confusion and speed up toll clearance.
Annual FASTag Pass: A Good Deal for Regular Users
For frequent travelers, there’s a new option worth considering.
An annual FASTag pass is now available:
Cost: ₹3,075 per year
Covers up to 200 toll crossings for private vehicles
This is ideal if you travel regularly, as it offers predictable and lower costs.
Occasional users can continue with pay-per-use.
The Bigger Plan: Barrier-Free Tolling
This move is part of a larger vision.
The government is working towards free-flow tolling systems, where:
Vehicles won’t need to stop at toll booths
Payments will be deducted automatically
Removing cash is the first step toward this seamless travel experience.
What You Should Do Now
To avoid issues during travel, make sure:
Your FASTag is active and recharged
Your KYC details are updated
You check if you’re eligible for exemptions or an annual pass
The Bottom Line
From April 10, highway travel in India goes fully digital.
If you’re still relying on cash, it’s time to switch.
Going digital will not only save time but also help you avoid extra charges and penalties.
