New Delhi: There will be no cash accepted at toll booths from April 10, as per the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The ministry has made FASTag and UPI the only ways to pay toll tax. The move is aimed at reducing queries by commuters at the toll booths and will eliminate the practice of flashing IS cards for seeking fee exemption on national highways and expressways. The road ministry has even held discussions with government departments and offices regarding "Exempted FASTags” for eligible commuters. Notably, commuters can also buy an annual FasTag pass for Rs 3,075, which allows 200 toll plaza crossings. The notification in this regard was issued by the ministry on Thursday, April 2. Now, motorists would need a functional FASTag linked to a bank or wallet, or access to UPI payments at toll plazas. Also Read: FASTag KYV Relaxation Explained: How It Makes Toll Payments Easier For Drivers What Notification Said: the change would alter how Indian drivers prepare for highway travel, requiring active FASTag accounts or UPI readiness before entering national highways. As per the notification, the driver of the vehicle, which does not have a valid FASTag, can pay through UPI. However, the toll fee paid through UPI will be 1.25 more than normal charges. In case the driver refuses to pay even through UPI, then his/her vehicle will be denied entry or removed from the NH section in accordance with Rule 14 of the NH Fee Rules.
The highway authority can also send an e-notice for a pending toll charge. The concerned commuters will have to pay double the toll fee.
According to reports, NHAI is also rolling out multi-lane free-flow tolling. This is also referred to as barrier-free or open-road tolling, reported NDTV. As per this scheme, the vehicle will not be stopped at the toll booth; rather, cameras and RFID readers will log as they pass by. Vehicles without FasTags will receive e-notices.
