NHAI to go fully digital: No cash at toll plazas from April 1
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New Delhi: From April 1, commuters across India will no longer be able to pay toll fees in cash, as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) moves to a fully digital payment system.
The NHAI will implement a complete ban on cash payments at toll plazas nationwide, requiring all vehicles to pay toll charges through digital modes such as FASTag or UPI. This move is part of a broader effort to modernise highway travel, improve efficiency, and ensure transparency in toll collection on national highways and expressways.
Officials expect that the shift to a fully digital system will allow vehicles to pass through toll plazas faster, reducing long queues, saving travel time, and ensuring a smoother flow of traffic, especially during peak hours. Faster processing at toll booths is also expected to cut fuel consumption and lower vehicle emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.
However, some travellers may face inconvenience during the transition, particularly those unprepared for digital payments. Vehicles without a valid FASTag or sufficient balance may be penalised or stopped at toll plazas. In such cases, commuters can make instant payments using UPI by scanning QR codes provided at the booths.
Authorities have cautioned that network issues could occasionally affect digital transactions, causing delays. Travellers are advised to ensure their FASTag is active, properly linked to their bank account, and has sufficient balance before starting their journey. Keeping a working UPI app on a smartphone as a backup is also recommended.
The move represents a significant step in India’s push towards digital infrastructure, aimed at making highway travel faster, smoother, and more efficient.
With IANS inputs