Cash will no longer be accepted at toll plazas on national highways starting April 10, the government has announced. From April 10 onwards, drivers will have to pay tolls only through digital options, primarily FASTag or UPI.
The National Highway Authority Of INDIA (NHAI), has officially stopped accepting cash at all National Highway Traffic Plazas (NHTPs) throughout its network as part of converting to an all-electronic tolling system across the entire nation. This step forward aligns with the Agency’s goal of transitioning from traditional cash-based transaction processing to fully e-tolling modes of operation, thus reducing waiting times and thereby decreasing congestion within the agency’s toll collection operations.
This change will affect approximately 1,150 toll collection locations located along the National Highway System and on interstate highways and expressways. Along with this announcement, tolls for automobiles traveling on National Highways and Expressways in Uttar Pradesh have increased by up to 10%.
Expressway tolls have gone up by 1.5% to 3.5%.
New Toll Rates:
Agra–Lucknow Expressway: Car/SUV tolls increase from Rs 665 to Rs 675; two-wheeler tolls increase from Rs 330 to Rs 335.
Gorakhpur Link Expressway: 4-wheeler tolls will now be Rs 295 (an increase of Rs 10), and 2-wheeler tolls will be Rs 145 (an increase of Rs 5). All new price increases will apply to buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles as well.
These new rates will also apply to buses and heavy commercial vehicles. The government hopes that doing away with cash completely will make travel smoother and more efficient for everyone. Drivers are advised to get their FASTags recharged and linked to their bank accounts well before April 10 to avoid any problems at the toll plazas.
