Cash payment at toll plazas to end from April 10

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has stated that payments via cash at toll booths will end from April 10, 2026. According to it, toll payments must be made through electronic transactions only (FASTag or UPI). This announcement aims to mitigate long queues at plazas and ensure seamless travel on national highways and expressways.

1. Authorities can deny highway entry to the vehicle if the toll isn’t paid 
2. Government offices can apply for ‘Exempted FASTags’
3. New multi-lane free-flow toll system to enable toll deduction without a physical stop

What will happen if you do not have a valid FASTag?

If the vehicle does not have a valid FASTag, it will still be allowed to pass, provided that the driver/vehicle owner pays 1.25 times the normal fee via UPI. Failure to pay the toll fee allows authorities to invoke Rule 14 of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, under which authorities can refuse entry to the vehicle on the concerned road stretch. E-notices can be issued if the vehicle’s passage is recorded by cameras/RFID but no payment is received; in such cases, owners will have to pay the regular toll fee within three days or pay double the amount.  

New amendment to bring an end to ID-based waivers

To bring an end to government officials using their identification cards for toll waivers on personal trips, MoRTH has also appealed to government offices and suitable departments to acquire ‘Exempted FASTags’ or FASTag-based annual passes. Officials confirmed that the exemption will apply only to government authorities and not individuals.

New multi-lane free-flow toll system to reduce congestion

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is working toward developing signal-free or multi-lane free-flow tolling across the country’s highways. Such a system will enable cars to pass through toll booths without stopping; the fee is deducted automatically from cameras and RFID readers scanning your vehicle at speed. An e-notice will be issued if a valid FASTag is missing on the vehicle.