No More Cash at Toll Plazas from April 10: FASTag & UPI Payments to Become Mandatory Across Highways

In a major push toward digital infrastructure, the government has announced a complete shift to cashless toll collection across India’s highways. Starting April 10, cash payments will no longer be accepted at toll plazas, and commuters will be required to use digital methods like FASTag and UPI.

This move is aimed at reducing congestion, improving efficiency, and enhancing transparency in toll collection systems.

What Will Change from April 10?

From April 10 onwards, all toll plazas on national highways will operate on a fully digital payment system. This means:

Cash payments will be completely discontinued
Only digital modes such as FASTag and UPI will be accepted
Vehicles without digital payment setup may face delays or penalties

This change is expected to significantly reduce long queues that often build up due to manual cash transactions.

Why Has This Decision Been Taken?

The government’s decision is part of a broader strategy to modernize transport infrastructure and promote digital payments.

Key objectives include:

Reducing traffic congestion at toll plazas
Saving time for commuters
Improving transparency in toll collection
Standardizing systems across more than 1,150 toll plazas nationwide

By eliminating cash handling, authorities also aim to minimize errors and improve operational efficiency.

How Will You Pay Toll Now?

Commuters will need to rely on digital payment options such as:

1. FASTag
A radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based system that automatically deducts toll charges from a linked bank account or wallet as your vehicle passes through the toll gate.

2. UPI Payments
Users may also have the option to pay toll charges via UPI, offering a quick and seamless payment experience using mobile apps.

Both methods are designed to ensure faster vehicle movement and reduce waiting time.

Toll Rates Also Revised

Along with the shift to digital payments, toll charges have also been revised in some regions:

Toll rates on national highways have increased by up to 10%
In Uttar Pradesh expressways, the hike ranges between 1.5% to 3.5%

For example:

On the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, toll for cars and SUVs has increased from ₹665 to ₹675
For two-wheelers, it has gone up from ₹330 to ₹335
On the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, toll rates are ₹295 for four-wheelers and ₹145 for two-wheelers

These revisions reflect periodic adjustments based on operational costs and infrastructure upgrades.

What Should Vehicle Owners Do?

To avoid inconvenience, vehicle owners should:

Ensure their FASTag is active and sufficiently recharged
Link their FASTag to a bank account or wallet
Keep a UPI-enabled app ready as a backup payment method

Failing to comply may lead to longer wait times or additional charges at toll plazas.

The shift to a fully cashless toll system marks a significant step in India’s digital transformation journey. While it may require some adjustment initially, the long-term benefits—faster travel, reduced congestion, and better transparency—are expected to outweigh the inconvenience.

As digital payments become the norm, commuters will experience smoother and more efficient highway travel across the country.