FASTag Toll Payment Rule From April 1, 2026: National Highways Go Cashless? What Vehicle Owners Need to Know

From 1 April 2026, vehicles across India will be required to pay tolls cashless at toll plazas from April 1, as the Union government plans to stop accepting physical money. Officials say this change is part of the Toll Plaza Rules 2026, aimed at speeding up toll collection, reducing long queues, and cutting congestion at busy highway points.

Currently, many drivers still pay cash, slowing lanes and wasting fuel. Under the new system, all toll payment through FASTag or UPI will be mandatory. Vehicles will pass toll plazas in seconds through FASTag toll payment deductions or UPI scans, eliminating the need for cash transactions.

Toll Payment Through FASTag or UPI: How It Works

According to the updated Toll Plaza Rules 2026, motorists can make toll payment through FASTag or UPI at every national toll plaza. FASTag toll payment allows automatic deduction at the barrier, while UPI scans provide an easy alternative for cashless transactions. Every payment will be recorded digitally, giving users a clear record of highway expenses.

The government expects that moving cashless at toll plazas from April 1 will reduce traffic congestion, as drivers no longer need to fumble for cash or wait for change. Toll staff can manage lanes more efficiently, with fewer errors and disputes over payments.

Central Road Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary V Umashankar said India's digital economy is growing rapidly, and the public response to FASTag toll payment and toll payment through FASTag or UPI was positive. This encouraged authorities to adopt a fully cashless model under Toll Plaza Rules 2026. From 1 April, all tolls will be collected digitally via FASTag or UPI, marking a major shift in how national highways operate.