Guwahati: India is preparing for a major shift in highway travel as the government plans to phase out cash payments at national toll plazas starting April 1.
Drivers will be required to use FASTag or UPI to pay tolls, marking a key step toward fully digital highways.
Although the official notification is yet to be released, authorities are already making arrangements to ensure a smooth implementation. The change is expected to reduce long queues at toll plazas, making journeys faster and more efficient.
The main aim of this initiative is to ease traffic congestion. With digital payments, vehicles will no longer need to stop for cash or wait for change, which can also help save fuel by reducing repeated braking and acceleration.
Additionally, digital transactions provide better transparency with a clear record of each payment. Officials have stated that this step is part of a larger plan to modernize India’s tolling system.
The government is working toward a barrier-free model, known as Multi-Lane Free Flow, allowing vehicles to pass toll areas at highway speeds without stopping. Technologies from other countries are being studied to implement this system effectively.
Currently, a trial of the no-stop toll system is underway at 25 toll plazas nationwide. If successful, it could be rolled out across the country in the future.
Vehicles without digital payment options could face delays or penalties once the new rules take effect.