A major update has been announced for highway commuters in India. Starting April 10, toll payments on national highways will go completely digital. The government has made FASTag mandatory, and cash payments at toll plazas will no longer be accepted.

If your vehicle does not have a FASTag, you will still be able to pay using UPI, but it will come at a cost — you’ll have to pay 1.25 times the regular toll amount.

What’s the New Rule?

According to the latest update, all toll plazas on national highways will stop accepting cash payments from April 10. The aim is to make toll collection faster, smoother, and fully digital.

• FASTag will become the primary mode of toll payment
• Cash lanes will be removed completely
• Digital payments will be encouraged nationwide

UPI Payment Will Be Costlier Without FASTag

If a vehicle reaches a toll plaza without a valid FASTag:

• UPI payment will be allowed as an alternative
• But you will be charged 1.25x the toll fee

Example:

• Normal toll: ₹100
• Without FASTag (UPI payment): ₹125

This means you’ll pay ₹25 extra per toll, which can significantly increase travel costs on long journeys.

Why Has This Rule Been Introduced?

Authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), have taken this step to:

• Reduce long queues at toll plazas
• Ensure faster vehicle movement
• Promote digital payments
• Save fuel and reduce traffic congestion

With FASTag, vehicles can pass through toll plazas without stopping, improving overall efficiency.

FASTag Usage Growing Rapidly

FASTag adoption in India has increased significantly in recent years.

• Over 50 lakh users have opted for annual FASTag passes
• Users can pay around ₹3000 for up to 200 toll crossings per year
• More than 26 crore transactions have already been recorded

This shows a clear shift toward cashless highway travel.

What Should You Do Now?

To avoid paying extra:

✔ Install FASTag on your vehicle immediately
✔ Ensure it is active and has sufficient balance
✔ Link it to your bank account or wallet

Without FASTag, frequent travelers may end up spending significantly more on toll charges.

The move to make FASTag mandatory marks another step toward India’s fully digital transport ecosystem. While UPI offers a backup option, the extra 25% charge makes FASTag the smarter and more economical choice.

If you regularly travel on highways, installing FASTag is no longer optional—it’s essential to save both time and money.