Travelers across the country were expected to see a major change from April 1, 2026, but the plan has now been delayed. The central government has postponed the implementation of the completely cashless toll payment system by one month.
The new system will now come into effect from May 1, 2026. After this, cash payments at toll plazas will be completely stopped, and travelers will have to make toll payments digitally.
According to a report by Dainik Hindustan, this cashless toll tax system was originally planned to begin from April 1 across toll plazas nationwide.
However, due to technical reasons, the government has pushed the decision forward by one month.
Digital Payment Options and Extra Charges
Under the new system, if a vehicle’s FASTag is not working, passengers will still be able to pay online through UPI or QR code.
However, travelers making online payments in such cases will have to pay 1.25 times the base toll rate, which means an additional 25 percent processing fee.
A senior official from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed that the cashless toll system will now start from May 1.
New Refund and Error Rules
The government has also introduced new rules to reduce cash payments at toll plazas.
According to the ministry’s new guidelines, if there is an error in toll deduction and the FASTag has sufficient balance, the vehicle will be allowed to pass without any charge.
In addition, refunds for incorrect toll deductions will now be processed within 48 hours.
Banks and toll agencies have been directed to refund the wrongly deducted amount to the passenger’s account within the given time.
If they fail to do so, the concerned agency will face a fine of ₹500 per day.
It is important to note that refunds currently take around 7 to 15 days, so this new rule is expected to make the process much faster and more convenient for travelers.
