Highway travel in India is set for a major transformation.
The government has announced a big step towards fully digital road travel by removing cash payments at toll plazas.
From April 1, travelers will no longer be able to pay toll fees using cash on national highways.
This move aims to make highway journeys faster, smoother, and more convenient for everyone.
No More Cash at Toll Plazas
Starting April 1, toll payments on all national highways will be accepted only through FASTag or UPI.
Cash lanes will be completely removed from toll plazas across the country.
According to the government, digital toll payments have already shown positive results.
Many travelers have welcomed UPI payments, and FASTag usage is already widespread.
Now, by fully stopping cash payments, the government wants to remove delays caused by manual toll collection.
Faster Travel and Lower Fuel Wastage
Long queues at toll booths often lead to wasted time and extra fuel consumption.
Vehicles stopping and starting repeatedly increase fuel usage and tire drivers, especially during long journeys.
With cashless tolling, vehicles can pass through much faster.
This will help save fuel, reduce travel time, and make highway driving less stressful, particularly during peak hours and festivals.
Step Towards Barrier-Free Highways
The cashless toll decision is also part of a bigger future plan.
The government is preparing to introduce the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system.
Under this system, toll barriers will be removed completely.
Vehicles will not need to stop at toll plazas, as toll charges will be deducted automatically using FASTag and vehicle identification technology.
Pilot Project Already Underway
To test this new system, 25 toll plazas across the country have been selected for a pilot project.
The government will study how the technology works and how travelers respond before rolling it out nationwide.
Once fully implemented, MLFF tolling is expected to reduce congestion, cut travel time, and lower pollution levels on highways.
What Travelers Should Do Now
The government has advised travelers to ensure their FASTag is active and has enough balance before April 1.
Those who prefer digital payments should also be ready to use UPI at toll plazas.
With this move, highway travel in India is heading towards a smoother, faster, and fully digital future.
