End of cash payment on National Highway! Toll rules will change from April 1, know what is the government’s new digital plan

Digital Toll System India 2026 The government on Friday said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering completely stopping cash transactions at National Highway Toll Plazas across the country from April 1, 2026. With this step, a completely digital tolling system will be developed on the National Highway. After the implementation of the scheme, all toll payments will be made only through digital means, using Fastag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the proposal aims to consolidate the achievements made by electronic toll collection and increase the efficiency and reliability of toll plaza operations.

There will be less crowd at toll plaza

According to the official statement, this change will improve ‘ease of commuting’ for national highway users. Will make it better. This will increase lane capacity, reduce congestion at toll plazas and bring transparency in toll transactions. Fastag penetration in the country has reached more than 98 percent, which has brought about a major change in the toll collection system.

Most of the toll transactions are now being done electronically through RFID based FASTag, making the movement of vehicles at toll plazas in a seamless and contactless manner. According to NHAI, UPI payment facility has also been started at National Highway Toll Plazas, providing instant and easy digital payment options to the passengers.

Double charge for giving cash

At present, if a vehicle enters the toll plaza without a valid and active Fastag and pays in cash, then double the prescribed fee is charged. Whereas, users who pay through UPI are charged 1.25 times the fee as per the specified vehicle category.

The government says that only digital payment system The adoption will increase efficiency in operations, improve traffic management, reduce delays and improve passenger experience at over 1,150 toll plazas across the country.

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Increase in the number of Fastag annual passes

Meanwhile, the number of Fastag annual pass users has crossed 50 lakh. Over 26.55 crore transactions have been recorded within six months of launch. This annual pass is valid for one year or till 200 tolls are crossed on a one-time payment of Rs 3,000, thereby eliminating the need for frequent recharge.