Cash payments banned at toll plazas nationwide from April 10

Cash payments banned at toll plazas nationwide from April 10

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Apr 8, 2026: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued an important notice for motorists traveling on national highways across the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to completely stop accepting cash at all toll plazas nationwide starting Friday, April 10.

This move is part of a major digital initiative aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow on highways and reducing waiting time at toll plazas to zero. Under the new rule, vehicles without FASTag will still be allowed to pay via UPI, but at a higher cost. Drivers using UPI will have to pay a 25% penalty over the regular toll fee. For example, if the toll is ₹100, UPI users will need to pay ₹125.

Vehicles that refuse to pay via FASTag or UPI will be denied access to the highway under National Highway Rule 14. Additionally, such vehicles will be issued an e-notice. If the pending amount is not paid within three days, the penalty will be doubled, according to the ministry’s notification.

Local residents or exempted individuals will no longer be allowed to cross tolls by simply showing an ID card. They must obtain an “exempted FASTag” or an annual pass through a digital portal. As the April 10 deadline approaches, motorists are advised to update their FASTag KYC and ensure sufficient balance in their accounts. Authorities also stated that a GPS-based toll system may be implemented on a trial basis in the future as part of the ongoing digital transformation.