Now cash on toll stopped: FASTag mandatory from April 10, without tag you will have to pay 25% more fee

New Delhi: A major change has come into effect from April 10, 2026 for people traveling on national highways across the country. Now cash payment has been completely abolished at all toll plazas and electronic payment has been made mandatory.

Under the new system, drivers traveling without FASTag will have to pay 25 percent more than the normal toll fee. The objective of this decision is to reduce congestion at toll plazas, make travel easier and promote digital transactions.

FASTag becomes mandatory payment medium

According to the new policy, now FASTag will be the main method of payment at toll plazas. It is an electronic toll collection system, in which toll fee is automatically deducted from the bank account or wallet through the tag installed on the windscreen of the vehicle.

Due to this, the vehicle does not need to stop at the toll plaza, which saves time and improves traffic flow. The government was already promoting it, but now it has been made completely mandatory.

Without FASTag you will have to pay additional fees

If a vehicle reaches the toll plaza without a valid FASTag, it will get the option of UPI for payment. However, for this he will have to pay 1.25 times i.e. 25% more than the normal fee.

For example, if the toll fee is Rs 100, then a vehicle without FASTag will have to pay Rs 125. This additional fee has been implemented with the aim of motivating people to adopt FASTag.

More impact on long distance travelers

This 25 percent additional charge may seem small, but for people who regularly travel on the highways, this expense can add up significantly.

FASTag has now become necessary especially for passengers traveling long distances. Those who are still dependent on cash or whose FASTag is not active will have to face the greater impact of this change.

Reduction in crowd at toll plaza

The government and concerned authorities believe that this decision will significantly reduce the long queues at toll plazas.

Earlier, due to cash payment, vehicles had to stop, which created traffic jams. Now through FASTag, vehicles will be able to move without stopping, due to which the traffic will remain smooth.

Fuel saving and environmental benefits

This new system will also have a positive impact on the environment. Long standing of vehicles at toll plazas increased fuel consumption and also caused pollution.

Now passing of vehicles without stopping will save fuel and also reduce pollution. This step is considered important towards environmental protection.

What will change for common passengers

Most people are already using FASTag, so this change will not be too big for them.

But those who still pay in cash or occasionally travel on the highways will now be required to get FASTag installed and keep it active, otherwise they will have to pay additional charges.

Overall, this decision is an important step in taking India towards digital and smart transport system. This will make travel fast, convenient and environment friendly, although some people may have difficulty in adopting the change in the initial phase.