Kochi: In a major step toward seamless highway travel and greater transparency, toll plazas across India will go completely digital from April 1, putting an end to cash payments. Motorists will be required to pay toll fees exclusively through FASTag or UPI, marking a significant shift in the country’s toll collection system. The decision aims to reduce long queues at toll booths and eliminate concerns over revenue transparency.
The change will be implemented at more than 1,150 toll plazas nationwide. With nearly 98% of vehicles already using FASTag, authorities say the transition is a natural progression toward a fully digital system. Until now, vehicles without FASTag were charged double the toll amount, while UPI payments attracted 1.25 times the regular fee — measures that accelerated the shift toward electronic payments.
The move will enable the National Highways Authority to monitor real-time data on vehicle movement and toll revenue collection with improved accuracy. Meanwhile, pilot projects are underway at select locations to introduce barrier-free tolling, allowing vehicles to pass without stopping. Advanced number plate recognition systems linked to FASTag accounts are also being developed, and in the future, India may adopt GPS-based toll collection — paving the way for faster, smarter, and more efficient highway travel.
