If you do not have a FASTag or have been unable to recharge it, you may now have to pay an increased charge when paying toll tax. This charge could be 1.25 times the standard toll amount.
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If you do not possess a FASTag or fail to recharge it on time, you should attend to this matter immediately, as a new rule regarding FASTags came into effect on April 10. Significant changes are currently underway within India’s national highway toll system. The government has officially banned cash payments at all National Highway toll plazas.
FASTag has now become the primary mode of payment. If you do not have a FASTag, you may make payments via UPI; however, you will be required to pay 1.25 times the standard toll amount. If you wish to avoid stopping at toll booths altogether and want to steer clear of any payment-related hassles, you should either recharge your existing FASTag or procure a new one immediately. Let us explore the specific changes introduced under this new regulation…
India Discontinues Cash Payments at Toll Plazas
To resolve traffic-related issues and minimize long waiting times, cash payments at toll plazas have been discontinued, thereby establishing a seamless, 100% digital network. Automating the toll collection process reduces errors and financial wastage, ensuring 100% transparency and accountability in toll collection operations.
What happens if a vehicle does not have a FASTag?
Cash payments are no longer accepted, and all lanes at toll plazas now operate exclusively through digital modes. Consequently, if you do not possess a valid FASTag, you will be required to make the payment via UPI; however, you will also have to pay 1.25 times the standard toll amount (inclusive of a 25% surcharge).
If you enter a FASTag lane with a blacklisted tag or insufficient minimum balance, you may be liable to pay double the standard toll fee. In the event that the toll is not paid digitally at the toll plaza, an e-notice will be issued to you. If the payment is not made within three days, the outstanding amount due will be doubled.
If payment remains outstanding for more than 15 days, an entry regarding this default is recorded in the vehicle database, which may result in restrictions on vehicle-related services, such as the transfer of ownership or the issuance of a fitness certificate. Furthermore, in the absence of a valid digital payment, authorities reserve the right to prevent your vehicle from entering the highway or to physically remove it from the lane.
Will there be any changes to toll charges following the implementation of the new cashless system?
Toll charges have been revised for the financial year 2026-27. Vehicles equipped with a valid FASTag will be required to pay the standard toll rate. Effective April 1st, the annual cost of a FASTag pass has increased by ₹75, rising from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075. This annual pass is utilized by owners of non-commercial vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and vans. If you choose to make the payment via UPI but do not possess a FASTag, you will be required to pay a higher amount.
