Toll plazas to go cashless from April 10; cash payments to be completely scrapped

Cash payments at toll plazas across national highways will be discontinued from April 10, according to a government notification, marking a shift towards a fully digital tolling system. The move follows an earlier proposal by the government to phase out cash transactions at all National Highway fee plazas. The transition has been planned to build a fully digital tolling ecosystem and improve operational efficiency across the network.The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier stated that all toll payments will now be processed exclusively through digital modes such as FASTag and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). It said that the change is aimed at improving ease of commuting by increasing lane throughput, reducing congestion at toll plazas, and ensuring greater transparency and consistency in toll transactions.The authority further added that the complete shift to digital payments is expected to streamline traffic movement, minimise delays, and enhance the overall user experience at more than 1,150 fee plazas on national highways and expressways.Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) have revised toll rates.The updated charges, which will be applicable across national highways and expressways in the state, show a small upward revision. While toll on national highways will increase by up to 10% for passenger car owners, expressway charges in Uttar Pradesh have been raised in the range of 1.50% to 3.50%.Under the revised structure, car and SUV owners using the Lucknow–Agra Expressway will now pay Rs 675 instead of Rs 665, while two-wheeler riders will be charged Rs 335 instead of Rs 330 for a single trip.Similarly, user charges on the Gorakhpur Link Expressway have been increased by Rs 10 for four-wheelers and Rs 5 for two-wheelers, bringing the revised rates to Rs 295 and Rs 145 respectively. The increase will also apply to commercial vehicles, including buses and heavy multi-axle transport vehicles.