New Delhi9 months ago
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National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to make the toll plazas of the country completely digital. From April 1, 2026, cash transactions can be completely stopped at all toll plazas on the National Highway.
After this, toll can be paid only through digital means like FASTag or UPI. NHAI aims to make toll operations more transparent and accurate. Currently, electronic toll collection system is implemented at more than 1,150 toll plazas in the country.
Decision taken to reduce crowd at toll plaza According to NHAI, cash payment at toll plazas often results in traffic jams. Especially during peak hours, cash transactions lead to long queues of vehicles and disputes over change. This problem will no longer exist if digital payments become completely mandatory.
FASTag is already installed on 98% vehicles The use of Fastag has increased rapidly in the country. According to statistics, at present more than 98% vehicles have Fastag. According to the National Highway Tariff rules, if a vehicle enters the Fastag lane of a toll plaza without an active Fastag and pays in cash, then double the toll is charged. Whereas, if a user pays through UPI, he has to pay 1.25 times the applicable toll rate.
System will change at more than 1,150 toll plazas This step of NHAI will be applicable to more than 1,150 toll plazas and expressways in the country. The authority believes that completely digital transactions will ease data management and will also prevent leakage of revenue. This initiative is part of the government’s larger objective to make the National Highway Network high-efficiency by connecting it with technology.
Source: www.bhaskar.com
